steepened

Steepened is the past tense and past participle of the verb steepen. It means to make or become steeper, or to increase the steepness of a slope, surface, or curve. In everyday use, steepened describes a change from a gentler gradient to a sharper incline.

In physical contexts, steepening of slopes is discussed in geology, geomorphology, and civil engineering. Natural processes that steepen slopes include undercutting by flowing water, erosion of the toe material, landslides and rockfalls, frost action, and tectonic uplift. Weathering and removal of protective material can also expose steeper sections of rock or soil. Human activities such as mining, excavation, road construction, and the removal of supporting material can steepen banks and embankments, increasing the risk of instability or collapse.

Steepened slopes have implications for drainage, stability, and habitat. In land-use planning, engineers may assess whether a slope has steepened and determine appropriate stabilization measures, such as retaining structures, regrading, or drainage control. In a mathematical or graphical sense, a feature can be described as steepened when its slope or gradient increases, resulting in a sharper angle of ascent or steeper tangent.

See also: steep, steepness, gradient, slope stability, erosion.