Tors

Tors are rocky outcrops or masses that rise above the surrounding terrain, typically on hills or moorland. The term is used most often in Britain, where tors are notable features of upland landscapes, such as Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor. A tor is not a single rock type but a residual mass that remains after surrounding rock has been removed by erosion, weathering, and ground-level processes.

Geology and formation vary by region, but tors commonly form where rocks are jointed or fractured, such as granite, sandstone, or metamorphic rocks. Weathering acts along these joints, with frost wedging, chemical decay, and differential erosion helping to break down the surrounding softer material. Over long timescales, the exposed blocks weather more slowly than the matrix around them, gradually creating a prominent, often blocky outcrop. Some tors may originate as relatively large blocks that are isolated as the landscape wears away.

Morphology and distribution vary widely. Tors can be solitary features or occur in clusters, and they range from a few meters to tens of meters in height. They are characteristic of exposed upland areas with sparse soil, strong weathering contrasts, and well-developed joint systems. While strongly associated with British moorlands, tors occur in other regions with suitable bedrock and climate.

Ecology and culture: tors provide microhabitats for lichens, mosses, and invertebrates and are popular with hikers and naturalists. Their rugged forms also feature in local lore and landscape identity.