Glossary of landform and geologic terms. 2013.
soil — soil1 soilless, adj. /soyl/, n. 1. the portion of the earth s surface consisting of disintegrated rock and humus. 2. a particular kind of earth: sandy soil. 3. the ground as producing vegetation or as cultivated for its crops: fertile soil. 4. a… … Universalium
footslope — The hillslope profile position that forms the concave surface at the base of a hillslope. It is a transition zone between upslope sites of erosion and transport (shoulder, backslope) and downslope sites of deposition (toeslope). Compare:… … Glossary of landform and geologic terms
backslope — The hillslope profile position that forms the steepest and generally linear, middle portion of the slope. In profile, backslopes are commonly bounded by a convex shoulder above and a concave footslope below. They may or may not include… … Glossary of landform and geologic terms
hillslope-profile position — Discrete slope segments found along a transect line that runs perpendicular to the contour, beginning at a divide and descending to a lower, bounding stream channel or valley floor; a discrete piece of a two dimensional cross profile of a hill … Glossary of landform and geologic terms
playa step — (colloquial: Southern High Plains) The relatively level or gently inclined “terrace like” bench or toeslope within a large playa basin flanking and topographically higher than the playa floor and below the playa slope; a bench or step like… … Glossary of landform and geologic terms
shoulder — The hillslope profile position that forms the convex, erosional surface near the top of a hillslope. If present, it comprises the transition zone from summit to backslope. Compare: summit, crest, backslope, footslope, and toeslope. SW &… … Glossary of landform and geologic terms
summit — a) The topographically highest position of a hillslope profile with a nearly level (planar or only slightly convex) surface. Compare: shoulder, backslope, footslope, and toeslope, crest. b) A general term for the top, or highest area… … Glossary of landform and geologic terms
