steepens

Steepens is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb steepen, meaning to increase the steepness of a surface or slope. The word is formed from the adjective steep with the verbal suffix -en, and is commonly found in discussions of geology, geomorphology, and engineering.

In geomorphology and geology, steepening of slopes occurs through natural processes that remove material from the base or sides of a slope or that concentrate erosion at higher elevations. Examples include river undercutting that undermines a bankside or toe, landsliding that trims a hillside and leaves a steeper upper face, and tectonic uplift that raises a surface relative to adjacent areas. Coastal cliffs can steepen when wave action erodes the lower part more rapidly than the upper part, increasing the overall incline.

In civil engineering and land management, to steepen can describe deliberate alterations to slope inclination. This might be part of road design, hillside grading, or site development, where steeper grades can improve drainage or reduce excavation space. However, increasing steepness often raises risks, including greater susceptibility to erosion, instability, and landslides, so stabilization measures, proper drainage, and retaining structures are typically required.

Steepness itself is measured by slope angle or grade percentage, with steeper slopes having higher angles or percentages. The term steepens emphasizes the process of moving toward a steeper configuration rather than the absolute slope value. Related terms include steep, steepening, and slope stability.