Etchplain

An etchplain is a plain where the bedrock has been subject to considerable "etching" or subsurface weathering. Contrary to what the name might suggest, etchplains are seldom completely flat and usually displays some relief as weathering of the bedrock does not advance uniformly. This means that weathering is unrelated to the flatness which might be derivative of various other proceeses of planation including peneplanation and pediplanation.[1]

The term etchplain or etched peneplain was originally coined to describe surfaces in East Africa by E.J. Wayland in 1933 and Bailey Willis in 1936. This last geologist applied the term etched peneplain to the Tanganyica Plateau. Julius Büdel did develop the concept further in the second half of the 20th century but did never use the term etchplain.[2] The term came for long time to be associated with landscapes in the tropics or with tropical climate. Since the 1980s the term has also been used to describe flat weathered landscapes at higher latitudes.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 Migoń, Piotr (2004). "Etchning, etchplain and etchplanation". In Goudie, A.S. Encyclopedia of Geomorphology. pp. 345–347.
  2. ↑ etchplain


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