Richter denudation slope

views updated May 08 2018

Richter denudation slope A hillslope that develops at the foot of a cliff that is retreating fairly rapidly, chiefly by rock fall. The slope has a uniform gradient, is cut across bedrock, and stands at the angle at which the talus accumulates. With each unit of cliff retreat the related rock fall builds up on older talus, and so the foot of the cliff steadily rises. The Richter slope is revealed when the talus is removed, or it may remain hidden beneath a thick skin of mobile debris. E. Richter described such slopes in the Alps in 1900, and they are named after him.

Richter denudation slope

views updated May 17 2018

Richter denudation slope A hill-slope that develops at the foot of a cliff which is retreating fairly rapidly, chiefly because of rock fall. The slope has a uniform gradient, is cut across bedrock, and stands at the angle at which the talus accumulates. With each unit of cliff retreat the related rock fall builds up on older talus, and so the foot of the cliff steadily rises. The Richter slope is revealed when the talus is removed, or it may remain hidden beneath a thick skin of mobile debris. E. Richter described such slopes in the Alps in 1900, and they are named after him.

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Richter denudation slope

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