steepsided

Steepsided is an adjective used to describe a landform or object that has steep slopes on its sides, rising sharply from its base. In geomorphology and topography, the term denotes features where the sides are much steeper than the surrounding terrain, creating pronounced vertical relief. The concept centers on the contrast between a feature’s narrow, vertical boundaries and its broader, flatter or gentler lower surfaces.

Formation and characteristics: Steep-sided forms can develop through various processes, including differential erosion, tectonic uplift, and volcanic activity. Erosion tends to wear away at more easily weathered edges, leaving resistant sides intact, while volcanic and tectonic activity can create or expose abrupt relief. Slope angle is a common measure of steepness; in many contexts steep sides are described when slopes exceed moderate thresholds, with exact definitions varying by discipline and landscape.

Occurrence and examples: Steep-sided features appear in many environments. Canyon walls and gorges typically show steep sides as runoff concentrates near the margins. Deserts host mesas and buttes with flat tops and steep, cliff-like sides. Volcanic landscapes may include steep-sided cones or caldera rims, and impact craters often have steep-sided walls. Man-made examples include steep retaining walls and embankments used in civil engineering.

terminology and usage: The preferred form in many sources is steep-sided (hyphenated). The merged form steepsided is less common and may appear as a typographic variant depending on style guides.

See also: cliff, escarpment, slope, mesa, butte, canyon, crater, caldera, scarp.