scarps
Abrupt geological drops
Scarps is the plural of scarp—a steep slope or cliff, especially one formed by erosion or faulting.
The term appears most often in geology and geography: The scarps along the fault line showed millions of years of movement.
In military contexts, a scarp is the inner wall of a defensive ditch.
To scarp is to cut into a steep slope.
Steep rock face
- bluffCalculated false front
- cragSteep rugged outcrop
- ledgeProjecting horizontal surface
- overhangSection projecting beyond support
outcrop · tor · promontory · ridge · face · rockface · drop · vertical
Imperfection or blame
- horstElevated block between faults
- grabenDowndropped block between faults
- riftCrack or estrangement
- tectonicsStudy of crustal deformation
displacement · strata · bedrock · formation · crust · uplift · faulting · thrust
Asymmetrical tilted-rock ridge
- mesaFlat-topped steep-sided elevation
- butteIsolated flat-topped hill
- plateauFlat highland area
- ridgeNarrow raised strip
peneplain · moraine · drumlin · knoll · hillock · mound · pinnacle · tor
Angled rising surface
- gradientRate of change across space
- slopeAngled terrain or steepness
- pitchFrequency of sound
- angleGeometric measure of rotation
grade · ascent · descent · declivity · acclivity · vertical · sheer · precipitous
Tough and uneven
- hikingRecreational trail walking
- trekkingLong-distance foot travel
- backcountrySparsely populated wilderness areas
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
challenging · rough · remote · untamed · scrambling · climbing · exposure · adventure
Atmospheric breakdown of materials
- undercuttingCharging less than rivals
- slumpingDeclining sharply, drooping
- landslideMass of earth falling
- rockfallCollapsed cliff material
talus · scree · degradation · denudation · retreat · sapping · abrasion · gullying
precipice
Steep rock face
overhang · outcrop · tor · promontory · ridge · face · rockface · drop · vertical · sheer
fault
Imperfection or blame
tectonics · displacement · strata · bedrock · formation · crust · uplift · faulting · thrust · dip
cuesta
Asymmetrical tilted-rock ridge
ridge · peneplain · moraine · drumlin · knoll · hillock · mound · pinnacle · tor · summit
incline
Angled rising surface
angle · grade · ascent · descent · declivity · acclivity · vertical · sheer · precipitous · abrupt
rugged
Tough and uneven
- hikingRecreational trail walking
- trekkingLong-distance foot travel
- backcountrySparsely populated wilderness areas
wilderness · challenging · rough · remote · untamed · scrambling · climbing · exposure · adventure · exploration
weathering
Atmospheric breakdown of materials
- undercuttingCharging less than rivals
- slumpingDeclining sharply, drooping
- landslideMass of earth falling
rockfall · talus · scree · degradation · denudation · retreat · sapping · abrasion · gullying
- landformsmountain, cliff, valley, volcano, mountain ridge
- moonfull moon, lunar, crescent moon, new moon, half moon
- slopesslope, incline, slopes, inclines, grade
- earthquake effectsearthquake, aftershock, aftershocks, tremor, tremors
- irregularitiesbumps, dents, ridges, grooves, ripples
- Inner Planetssurface, atmosphere, orbit, core, mantle
scarpsgentle slopes
Gradual changes in elevation
ramps · rises · rolling hills · plains · flats