The uniformitarian nature of hillslopes

Abstract

The nature of hillslopes is examined, and their importance in landscape is assessed. The denudational processes operating upon hillslopes are examined and found to be manifold; producing ideally four specific elements in hillslopes, each of which has a distinct mode of evolution. The evolution of hillslopes under the action of denudational processes is evaluated in terms of physical science—involving surface flow of water and mass-movement of soil and rock, and is found to be dependent upon intrinsic strength of the bedrock and available relief. It is almost independent of climate, per se , and similar hillforms may be found under like conditions of bedrock and relief in all climatic environments short of glaciation or wind-controlled, sandy deserts.