What is the term for the pile of rocks that accumulates at the base of a cliff, chute, or slope?

What is the term for the pile of rocks that accumulates at the base of a cliff, chute, or slope?

• A. Scree
• B. Talus
• C. Drift
• D. Till

Answer: (B)

The pile of rocks at the base of a cliff, chute, or slope is known as a talus. This feature forms when rocks break off from the rock face and fall or slide downward due to gravity. The fragments accumulate at the bottom, creating an apron or cone-shaped deposit called talus, with pieces typically angular from the limited transport. Drift and till relate to glacial deposits and aren’t the term used for a base-portion rock pile, while scree is a similar loose material on a slope and can be used interchangeably in casual speech, but the standard term for the base pile is talus.

The pile of rocks at the base of a cliff, chute, or slope is known as a talus. This feature forms when rocks break off from the rock face and fall or slide downward due to gravity. The fragments accumulate at the bottom, creating an apron or cone-shaped deposit called talus, with pieces typically angular from the limited transport. Drift and till relate to glacial deposits and aren’t the term used for a base-portion rock pile, while scree is a similar loose material on a slope and can be used interchangeably in casual speech, but the standard term for the base pile is talus.