escarpments
Abrupt geological slopes
Escarpments are long, steep slopes or cliffs, typically formed by erosion or faulting, where flat or gently sloping terrain drops sharply to a lower level.
The term appears in geology and geography: The escarpments of the Colorado Plateau rise dramatically from the desert floor.
In military contexts, escarpments historically referred to steep defensive earthworks.
Vertical rock wall
- bluffCalculated false front
- cragSteep rugged outcrop
- outcropSurfacing native stone
- rockfaceExposed cliff surface
fault · cuesta · horst · ridge · plateau · mesa · butte · landform
Angled terrain or steepness
- gradientRate of change across space
- inclineAngled rising surface
- declivityDownward-sloping ground
- precipiceSteep rock face
drop-off · elevation · relief · contour · steepness · grade · pitch · ascent
Pleasing distant scene
- panoramaUnobstructed wide-angle view
- overlookMiss or commanding view
- terrainLand's physical features
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
ridge · valley · highland · lowland · plain · horizon · scenery · viewpoint
Atmospheric breakdown of materials
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- rockfallCollapsed cliff material
- landslideMass of earth falling
- screeLoose rock debris
gully · denudation · retreat · undercutting · talus · debris · alluvium · fluvial
Path through wilderness
- trekkingLong-distance foot travel
- scrambleMix into disorder
- ascentUpward movement
- descentDownward slope or lineage
path · expedition · navigation · waypoint · summit · traverse · switchback · climb
cliff
Vertical rock wall
rockface · fault · cuesta · horst · ridge · plateau · mesa · butte · landform · formation
slope
Angled terrain or steepness
precipice · drop-off · elevation · relief · contour · steepness · grade · pitch · ascent · descent
vista
Pleasing distant scene
wilderness · ridge · valley · highland · lowland · plain · horizon · scenery · viewpoint · geography
weathering
Atmospheric breakdown of materials
scree · gully · denudation · retreat · undercutting · talus · debris · alluvium · fluvial · canyon
trail
Path through wilderness
descent · path · expedition · navigation · waypoint · summit · traverse · switchback · climb · approach
- landformsmountain, cliff, valley, volcano, mountain ridge
- British Countrysidehedgerow, village, hedgerows, hamlet, moorland
- rocky terraincliffs, boulders, scree, outcrops, rockfall
- slopesslope, incline, slopes, inclines, grade
- Western Terrainplains, prairies, valleys, peaks, ridges
- prominencesprotuberance, protrusion, bulge, bump, swelling
escarpmentsgentle slopes
Gradual changes in elevation
rolling hills · ramps · plains · plateaus · piedmonts