rockfalls
Stones crashing down
Rockfalls are masses of rock that have broken away and fallen from a cliff, slope, or other elevated surface.
The term covers both the events and the accumulated debris: The trail was closed due to recent rockfalls.
Rockfall zones are common hazards in mountainous terrain and along highway cuts through steep rock.
Gradual wearing away
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- screeLoose rock debris
- talusAnkle's main bone
degradation · crumble · disintegration · undercutting · slump · abrasion · gully · cliff
Mass of earth falling
- avalancheRapid mountain snow collapse
- debrisScattered broken fragments
- collapseSudden structural failure
- warningAlert about danger
danger · unstable · rubble · precaution · risk · threat · casualties · fatalities
Tall elevated landmasses
- cliffsSteep natural rock walls
- canyonsDeep, narrow valleys
- gorgesSteep-walled river valleys
- escarpmentSteep slope dividing elevations
ridge · alpine · highlands · peaks · slopes · ravine · precipice · bluff
State of being unprotected
- helmetProtective head covering
- trundlingMoving heavily on wheels
- belayAnchor a rope
- anchorSecures ships to seabed
pitch · route · alpine · approach · gully · couloir · chimney · scrambling
Obstruction preventing passage
- nettingInterlaced open fabric
- meshInterlocking open weave
- gabionWire cage filled with rocks
- retainingHolding onto still
catchment · fencing · deflection · anchoring · stabilization · mitigation · reinforcement · containment
erosion
Gradual wearing away
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- screeLoose rock debris
talus · degradation · crumble · disintegration · undercutting · slump · abrasion · gully · cliff · outcrop
landslide
Mass of earth falling
- avalancheRapid mountain snow collapse
- debrisScattered broken fragments
- collapseSudden structural failure
warning · danger · unstable · rubble · precaution · risk · threat · casualties · fatalities · injuries
mountains
Tall elevated landmasses
escarpment · ridge · alpine · highlands · peaks · slopes · ravine · precipice · bluff · crag
exposure
State of being unprotected
anchor · pitch · route · alpine · approach · gully · couloir · chimney · scrambling · mountaineering
barrier
Obstruction preventing passage
retaining · catchment · fencing · deflection · anchoring · stabilization · mitigation · reinforcement · containment · buttress
- Earth processesplate tectonics, erosion, weathering, volcanism, sedimentation
- erosionerosion, wearing, wearing down, beach erosion, river erosion