Topographic Facets

elementary sections of the earth’s surface of various degrees of curvature and steepness. Every kind of relief consists of a combination of topographic facets.

Topographic facets are classified by the angle of slope into horizontal and subhorizontal facets (plateau-like summits of positive formations, terraces, and flat bottoms of negative formations), slopes, perpendicular facets, overhangs, and ceilings (of subterranean formations). The term “topographic facets” in its morphographic (geometric) interpretation was suggested by lu. K. Efremov (1949); earlier (1938). it was used by I. S. Shchukin in the same sense for mountain relief formations. Topographic facets may have the most diverse origins. For topographic facets of single origin, the term “uniform origin surface” was proposed by A. 1. Spiridonov (1952, 1958).