scarp
Abrupt terrain drop
A scarp is a steep slope or cliff, especially one formed by erosion or faulting along the edge of a plateau or ridge.
The term appears in geology and geography: the limestone scarp overlooking the valley.
Military usage refers to the inner wall of a defensive ditch.
To scarp is to cut into a steep slope or make vertical.
Steep rock face
- bluffCalculated false front
- cragSteep rugged outcrop
- faceHead's anterior surface
- rockfaceExposed cliff surface
overhang · ledge · drop-off · palisade · tor · outcrop · pinnacle · headland
Imperfection or blame
- tectonicsStudy of crustal deformation
- upliftRaise emotionally or physically
- strataParallel geological layers
- bedrockSolid stone underground
outcrop · displacement · rift · horst · graben · thrust · cuesta · formation
Fortified defensive wall
- earthworkConstructed soil structure
- ditchShallow excavated channel
- embankmentRaised earth structure
- parapetLow wall at edge
bastion · glacis · breastwork · defensive · siege · fosse · redoubt · entrenchment
Rate of change across space
- inclineAngled rising surface
- declivityDownward-sloping ground
- acclivityUpward ground slope
- steepnessAngle of incline
pitch · grade · talus · angle · ascent · descent · bank · rise
Atmospheric breakdown of materials
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
- undercuttingCharging less than rivals
- landslideMass of earth falling
- slumpingDeclining sharply, drooping
denudation · degradation · abrasion · gullying · sediment · washout · rockfall · debris
precipice
Steep rock face
rockface · overhang · ledge · drop-off · palisade · tor · outcrop · pinnacle · headland · promontory
fault
Imperfection or blame
- tectonicsStudy of crustal deformation
- upliftRaise emotionally or physically
- strataParallel geological layers
bedrock · outcrop · displacement · rift · horst · graben · thrust · cuesta · formation · sediment
rampart
Fortified defensive wall
- earthworkConstructed soil structure
- ditchShallow excavated channel
- embankmentRaised earth structure
parapet · bastion · glacis · breastwork · defensive · siege · fosse · redoubt · entrenchment · bulwark
gradient
Rate of change across space
steepness · pitch · grade · talus · angle · ascent · descent · bank · rise · cant
weathering
Atmospheric breakdown of materials
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
- undercuttingCharging less than rivals
- landslideMass of earth falling
slumping · denudation · degradation · abrasion · gullying · sediment · washout · rockfall · debris · collapse
- castle partsmoat, keep, drawbridge, battlement, tower
- Cliffscliff, bluff, crag, precipice, cliff face
- fortificationsfort, fortress, fortresses, citadel, citadels
- rocky terraincliffs, boulders, scree, outcrops, rockfall
- slopesslope, incline, slopes, inclines, grade
- terrainhill, mountain, valley, peak, slope
scarpvalley
Low ground between heights
dene · hollow · depression · basin · dale
scarpgentle slope
Gradual land elevation
plain · flat terrain · lowland · plateau · rolling hills