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2.4.3.1 Badlands

A badland is a large- or small-scale region characterised by intricate and sharp erosional topography. The divides are sharp, and the slopes are incised with rivulose ravines, furrows, and rills. Badlands most oftem develop in soft sedimentary rocks (like shale), but they can also form in other locales, such as decomposed igneous rocks and loess.

Badlands are usually found in arid to semi-arid climates where rainfall is concentrated in infrequent but strong downpours. They often develop in the form of terraces and have little to no vegetative cover.

Hoodoo is a term used to describe fantastic and intricate erosional topography that has been strongly influenced by jointing.


Images
Badlands. Typical multiterrace terrain. Notice that some of the surfaces are more smoothed and rounded than others.
Badlands. Typical multiterrace terrain. Notice that some of the surfaces are more smoothed and rounded than others.
Original from H.H. Einstein
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Badlands. Small-scale erosion features. Pebbles in lower left corner are 2-5 cm in diameter.  Badlands. Start of erosion beyond grassy part. Eventually erosion will cut back into top surface with grassy part.  Badlands. Erosion terraces beyond and below top grassy surface. Erosion moves the terraces backward.  Badlands. Typical multiterrace bench. Notice layer of rock.  Badlands. Typical multiterrace bench. Notice layer of rock.  Badlands. Terraces on left, eroded terraces on right.  Badlands. Notice layers of rock and well-developed erosion channels.  Badlands. Notice layers of rock and well-developed erosion channels.  Badlands. Typical multiterrace terrain. Notice that some of the surfaces are more smoothed and rounded than others. 

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