Dip slope

Dip slope
Schematic cross section of a cuesta, dip slopes facing left and harder rock layers in darker colors than softer ones

A dip slope is a geological formation often created by erosion of tilted strata.[1] Dip slopes are found on homoclinal ridges with one side that is steep and irregular (an escarpment) and another side, the dip slope, that is generally planar with a dip parallel to the bedding.[2] The orientation of the dip slope is referred to as the strike.

Contents

Formation

Some rocks (usually softer ones) erode more rapidly than others. For example, shale most frequently erodes faster than limestone. In situations like this, an entire layer of the easily erodible rock can be weathered away while a layer of a more durable rock will remain largely unchanged. This results in a nearly flat surface created by the top of the more durable layer. When this happens to beds that are not tilted mesas are formed. With tilted beds, structures called cuestas and hogbacks are formed. Mesas will have a flat top, while cuestas and hogbacks will look like ridges, with one side that is a dip slope and a steeper escarpment on the other.

Dip slopes can also be formed by igneous structures such as sills. Any generally planar geological structure can form dip slopes, when it is tilted away from horizontal.

Landslides

Dip slopes are quite prone to landslides, due to the dipping flat erosional surface. Large sheets of rock have a tendency to slide down dip slopes.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Cuesta, or homoclinal ridge (geology)". Britannica Online Encyclopedia. http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-145944/cuesta. Retrieved 2008-03-16. "This landform occurs in areas of tilted strata and is caused by the differential weathering and erosion of the hard capping layer and the soft underlying cliff maker, which erodes more rapidly." 
  2. ^ Divener, V.. "Structural Control of Fluvial Landscapes". Crustal Structures and Landforms (course notes). Long Island University C.W. Post Campus. http://myweb.cwpost.liu.edu/vdivener/notes/structure_landforms.htm. Retrieved 2008-03-16. "Homoclinal ridges formed by the resistant beds are typically asymmetrical (if the strata don't dip too steeply) with a steep scarp slope and a more gentle dip slope." 

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • dip-slope — dipˈ slope noun (geology) A slope of ground coinciding with the dip of the rocks • • • Main Entry: ↑dip …   Useful english dictionary

  • dip slope —    A slope of the land surface, roughly determined by and approximately conforming to the dip of underlying bedded rocks; (i.e., the long, gently inclined surface of a cuesta).    Compare: scarp slope.    HP …   Glossary of landform and geologic terms

  • dip slope — noun Geology the gentler slope of a cuesta, following the underlying strata. Often contrasted with scarp slope …   English new terms dictionary

  • dip slope —   the gentle slope formed by the upper plane of the dipping, harder bed of rock in a cuesta …   Geography glossary

  • dip slope — noun : a land surface inclined in the same direction and at the same angle as the dip of the underlying rocks …   Useful english dictionary

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  • dip — ► VERB (dipped, dipping) 1) (dip in/into) put or lower briefly in or into. 2) sink, drop, or slope downwards. 3) (of a level or amount) temporarily become lower or smaller. 4) lower or move downwards. 5) Brit. lower the beam of (a …   English terms dictionary

  • dip — [dip] vt. dipped or occas.Now Rare dipt, dipping [ME dippen < OE dyppan, to immerse < Gmc * dup , to be deep: see DIMPLE] 1. to put into or under liquid for a moment and then quickly take out; immerse 2. to dye in this way 3. to clean… …   English World dictionary

  • Dip — Dip, n. 1. The action of dipping or plunging for a moment into a liquid. The dip of oars in unison. Glover. [1913 Webster] 2. Inclination downward; direction below a horizontal line; slope; pitch. [1913 Webster] 3. a hollow or depression in a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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