head slope

head slope
   [ geomorphology ]
   A geomorphic component of hills consisting of a laterally concave area of a hillside, especially at the head of a drainageway, resulting in converging overland water flow (e.g., sheet wash); head slopes are dominated by colluvium and slope wash sediments (e.g., slope alluvium); contour lines form concave curves. Slope complexity (downslope shape) can range from simple to complex. Headslopes are comparatively moister portions of hillslopes and tend to accumulate sediments (e.g., soils with over-thickened, dark epipedons) where they are not directly contributing materials to channel flow.
   SW
   1) A steep slope at the head of a valley; e.g., the rock cliff at the back of a cirque.
   Compare: cirque headwall.
   GG
   2) [ anthropogenic ]
   A sheer slope or cliff face at the head of an excavation; e.g., the rock cliff at the active face of a mine, pit, or quarry, from which material has been extracted; also called a highwall.
   SW & ICOMANTH

Glossary of landform and geologic terms. 2013.

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