cuesta
Lopsided geological ridge
A cuesta is a hill or ridge with a gentle slope on one side and a steep cliff on the other, formed when tilted rock layers erode unevenly.
The term comes from Spanish for slope or hillside and is used primarily in geology and geography.
Cuestas are common features in landscapes where alternating hard and soft rock layers have been exposed to erosion over time.
The trail followed the gentle backslope of the cuesta before dropping sharply at the escarpment.
Parallel geological layers
- bedrockSolid stone underground
- caprockImpermeable geological cover layer
- sedimentaryFormed from deposited material
- monoclineSingle-limbed geological fold
anticline · syncline · fault · jointing · folding · tilting · outcrop · compaction
Steep slope dividing elevations
- ridgeNarrow raised strip
- mesaFlat-topped steep-sided elevation
- butteIsolated flat-topped hill
- plateauFlat highland area
cliff · knoll · hill · highland · outcrop · promontory · tor · pinnacle
Angled rising surface
- gradientRate of change across space
- angleGeometric measure of rotation
- steepnessAngle of incline
- gentle slopeGradual land elevation
asymmetric · tilt · grade · pitch · declivity · acclivity · rise · descent
Land's physical features
- topographyPhysical feature mapping
- vistaPleasing distant scene
- panoramaUnobstructed wide-angle view
- countrysideRural area beyond towns
scenery · horizon · valley · plain · lowland · upland · rural · prospect
Atmospheric breakdown of materials
- denudationRemoval of surface covering
- abrasionShallow surface wound
- degradationDecline in condition
- scouringVigorous abrasive cleaning
gullying · sediment · detritus · undercutting · rockfall · talus · fluvial
strata
Parallel geological layers
- bedrockSolid stone underground
- caprockImpermeable geological cover layer
- sedimentaryFormed from deposited material
monocline · anticline · syncline · fault · jointing · folding · tilting · outcrop · compaction · cementation
escarpment
Steep slope dividing elevations
plateau · cliff · knoll · hill · highland · outcrop · promontory · tor · pinnacle · summit
incline
Angled rising surface
gentle slope · asymmetric · tilt · grade · pitch · declivity · acclivity · rise · descent
terrain
Land's physical features
- topographyPhysical feature mapping
- vistaPleasing distant scene
- panoramaUnobstructed wide-angle view
countryside · scenery · horizon · valley · plain · lowland · upland · rural · prospect · outlook
weathering
Atmospheric breakdown of materials
- denudationRemoval of surface covering
- abrasionShallow surface wound
- degradationDecline in condition
scouring · gullying · sediment · detritus · undercutting · rockfall · talus · fluvial