cliffledge

Cliffledge, also written as cliff ledge, is a narrow horizontal or gently inclined shelf on the face of a cliff. Ledges protrude from rock faces and can vary in width from a few centimeters to several meters. They form where erosion or weathering leaves a supportive layer or where rockfalls create a shelf beneath a stronger caprock.

Geology and formation: Ledges commonly form along bedding planes, joints, or pockets where resistant rock overlies weaker layers; freeze-thaw cycles, salt weathering, and chemical weathering widen cracks, eventually creating a stable platform. Differential erosion can leave ledges at particular heights within a cliff.

Ecology: Ledges collect soil, organic matter, and moisture, enabling vegetation such as lichens and small grasses, and supporting insect populations. They can provide nesting sites for birds like peregrine falcons and cliff swallows, and shelter for small mammals and bats.

Human use and hazards: For climbers, ledges serve as rest points, bivouac spots, or anchor placements, but many ledges are unstable due to rockfall or weathering. Access requires proper climbing technique and safety equipment. In natural landscapes, cliff ledges influence microclimates and rock-face stability.

See also: cliff, ledge, escarpment.