undercliff

Slope below cliff

An undercliff is a terrace or shelf of land formed when a cliff partially collapses, leaving a lower ledge between the original cliff face and the sea or valley below.

These formations are common along eroding coastlines where softer rock layers give way beneath harder cap rock: We walked the path along the undercliff.

geological

landslide

Mass of earth falling

rockfallCollapsed cliff material
slumpingDeclining sharply, drooping
debrisScattered broken fragments

talus · scree · sediment · erosion · weathering · collapse · retreat · faults · creep · instability

coastal

shoreline

Land-water boundary

foreshoreIntertidal coastal zone
littoralRelating to seashores
shingleOverlapping roof covering

strand · cove · inlet · bay · headland · tidal · seashore · beach · platform · saltwater

habitat

ecosystem

Interconnected organisms and surroundings

floraPlants of a region
faunaAnimal life collectively
vegetationPlant life collectively

scrubland · grassland · woodland · microclimate · sheltered · biodiversity · wildlife · invertebrates · birds · endemic

secluded

hidden

Kept out of sight

shelteredKept safe from harm
remoteDistant or controller
isolatedSeparated from others

tranquil · peaceful · undisturbed · unspoiled · untouched · sanctuary · retreat · enclave · protected · inaccessible

terrain

ledge

Projecting horizontal surface

shelfHorizontal storage surface
escarpmentSteep slope dividing elevations
slopeAngled terrain or steepness

bluff · overhang · crag · rockface · gorge · ravine · steep · terrace · bench · gradient

Opposites

vertical position relative to cliff

undercliffcliff top

Upper edge of precipice

cliff edge · overhang · summit · cliff face · plateau

primary vs. secondary landform

undercliffcliff face

Sheer vertical rockside

precipice · escarpment · bluff · crag · palisade

Family

under, cliff, underground, underneath, underline, underwater, cliffs, undermine, undersea

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