Erosion surface

Eemian erosion surface in a fossil coral reef on Great Inagua, The Bahamas. Foreground shows corals truncated by erosion; behind the geologist is a post-erosion coral pillar which grew on the surface after sea level rose again.

In geology and geomorphology, an erosion surface is a surface of rock or regolith that was formed by erosion[1] and not by construction (e.g. lava flows, sediment deposition[1]) nor fault displacement. Erosional surfaces within the stratigraphic record are known as unconformities, but not all unconformities are buried erosion surfaces. Erosion surfaces vary in scale and can be formed on a mountain range or a rock.[2] Particularly large and flat erosion surfaces receive the names of peneplain, paleoplain, planation surface or pediplain. An example of erosion surface is road surface erosion which is caused by natural and anthropogenic factors. Erosion surface can be measured through direct, contact measurement methods and indirect, non-contact measurement methods.

  1. ^ a b Lidmar-Bergström, Karna. "erosionsyta". Nationalencyclopedin (in Swedish). Cydonia Development. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  2. ^ Toy, Terrence J.; Foster, George R.; Renard, Kenneth G. (2002). Soil erosion : processes, prediction, measurement, and control. New York: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 0471383694. OCLC 48223694.