Cliff-former

Cliff-former

The term cliff-former is a geologic term indicating that a unit of bedrock is more resistant to erosion than overlying or underlying units and consequently outcrops have high slope angles. It is more or less equivalent to ridge-former, and may be contrasted with slope-former. In humid environments, sandstones are typically cliff-formers. In arid environments, limestones are often cliff-formers also. Recent extrusive igneous units may be cliff-formers as well.

In the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians of the eastern United States the major ridge-formers are the Tuscarora, Pocono, and Pottsville Formations. [1]

References

  1. ^ Kempler, Steve (2007-01-19). "Geomorphology : Chapter 2 Plate T-12 : Folded Appalachians". NASA, Goddard Earth Sciences (GES), Data and Information Services Center (DISC). http://daac.gsfc.nasa.gov/geomorphology/GEO_2/GEO_PLATE_T-12.shtml. Retrieved 2008-03-16. "The major ridge makers are the Tuscarora (T), Pocono (Po), and Pottsville (Pt) Formations."