erosion surface

views updated May 08 2018

erosion surface
1. (planation surface) Gently undulating land surface that cuts indiscriminately across underlying geologic structures and that is the end-product of a long period of erosion. Different types are produced under different environments. Among the more important are the peneplain (humid temperate), etchplain (humid tropical) and pediplain (semi-arid). Marine processes may also cut a marine erosion surface.

2. An irregular surface cut into rock or sediment by the eroding action of flowing water, ice, or by the wind.

erosion surface

views updated Jun 27 2018

erosion surface
1. (planation surface) A gently undulating land surface which cuts indiscriminately across underlying geologic structures and is the end-product of a long period of erosion. Different types are produced in different environments. Among the more important are the peneplain (humid temperate), etchplain (humid tropical) and pediplain (semi-arid). Marine processes may also cut a marine erosion surface.

2. An irregular surface cut into rock or sediment by the eroding action of flowing water, ice, or the wind.