The Trango Towers in Pakistan. Their vertical faces are the world's tallest cliffs. Trango Tower center; Trango Monk center left; Trango II far left; Great Trango right.

In geography and geology, a cliff is a significant vertical, or near vertical, rock exposure. Cliffs are categorized as erosion landforms due to the processes of erosion and weathering that produce them. Cliffs are common on coasts, in mountainous areas, escarpments and along rivers. Cliffs are usually formed by rock that is resistant to erosion and weathering. Sedimentary rocks most likely to form cliffs are sandstone, limestone, chalk, and dolomite. Igneous rocks, such as granite and basalt also often form cliffs. Precipice is the second episode of the third season from the science fiction television series Battlestar Galactica. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (824x1280, 616 KB) Description: Trango Towers (Baltoro-Glacier, Central-Karakoram, Pakistan) Source: photo taken by Kogo Date: July 2004 Author: Kogo Permission: Kogo put it under the GFDL Other versions of this file: - File links The following pages on the English... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (824x1280, 616 KB) Description: Trango Towers (Baltoro-Glacier, Central-Karakoram, Pakistan) Source: photo taken by Kogo Date: July 2004 Author: Kogo Permission: Kogo put it under the GFDL Other versions of this file: - File links The following pages on the English... The Trango Towers are a group of dramatic granite spires located on the north side of the Baltoro Glacier, in Baltistan, a district of the Northern Areas of Pakistan. ... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Severe soil erosion in a wheat field near Washington State University, USA. For erosion as understood by materials science, see Erosion (materials science) For erosion as an English analogy, see Erosion (figurative) For erosion as an operation of Mathematical morphology, see Erosion (morphology) Erosion is the displacement of solids (soil... A landform comprises a geomorphological unit. ... Weathering is the process of breaking down rocks, soils and their minerals through direct contact with the atmosphere. ... Rugged coast of the West Coast of New Zealand The coast is defined as the part of the land adjoining or near the ocean. ... Lyskamm, 4 527 m, Pennine Alps A mountain is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain in a limited area. ... In geology, an escarpment is a transition zone between different physiogeographic provinces that involves an elevation differential, often involving high cliffs. ... Río Peralonso - El Zulia (Norte de Santander), Colombia River Gambia flowing through Niokolokoba National Park Nevėžis River in Lithuania A river is a natural waterway usually formed by water derived from either precipitation or glacial meltwater, and flows from higher ground to lower ground. ... The rocky side of a mountain creek near Orosí, Costa Rica. ... Severe soil erosion in a wheat field near Washington State University, USA. For erosion as understood by materials science, see Erosion (materials science) For erosion as an English analogy, see Erosion (figurative) For erosion as an operation of Mathematical morphology, see Erosion (morphology) Erosion is the displacement of solids (soil... Weathering is the process of breaking down rocks, soils and their minerals through direct contact with the atmosphere. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Red sandstone interior of Lower Antelope Canyon, Arizona, worn smooth due to erosion by flash flooding over millions of years Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-size mineral or rock grains. ... For other uses, see Limestone (disambiguation). ... The Needles,situated on the Isle Of Wight, are part of the extensive Southern England Chalk Formation. ... Dolomite crystals from Touissite, Morocco Dolomite is the name of both a carbonate rock and a mineral consisting of calcium magnesium carbonate (formula: CaMg(CO3)2) found in crystals. ... Volcanic rock on North America Plutonic rock on North America Igneous rocks are formed when rock (magma) cools and solidifies, with or without crystallization, either below the surface as intrusive (plutonic) rocks or on the surface as extrusive (volcanic) rocks. ... Quarrying granite for the Mormon Temple, Utah Territory. ... Basalt Basalt (IPA: ) is a common gray to black volcanic rock. ...

The Cliffs of Moher in Ireland

An escarpment (or scarp) is a type of cliff, formed by the movement of a geologic fault, or a landslide. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1136x852, 558 KB) Cliffs of Moher, East, Ireland Photograph Tobias Helfrich, March 27th, 2004. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1136x852, 558 KB) Cliffs of Moher, East, Ireland Photograph Tobias Helfrich, March 27th, 2004. ... Looking north towards OBriens Tower The Cliffs of Moher (Aillte an Mhothair, Cliffs of the ruin) are located in the parish of Liscannor at the south-western edge of The Burren area near Doolin, which is located in County Clare, Republic of Ireland. ... In geology, an escarpment is a transition zone between different physiogeographic provinces that involves an elevation differential, often involving high cliffs. ... Geologic faults, fault lines or simply faults are planar rock fractures, which show evidence of relative movement. ... Rockslide redirects here. ...

Most cliffs have some form of scree slope at their base. In arid areas or under high cliffs, these are generally exposed jumbles of fallen rock. In areas of higher moisture, a soil slope may obscure the talus. Scree or detritic cone is a term given to broken rock that appears at the bottom of crags, mountain cliffs or valley shoulders. ... For the American hard rock band, see Soil (band). ...

Many cliffs also feature tributary waterfalls or rock shelters. Sometimes a cliff peters out at the end of a ridge, with tea tables or other types of rock columns remaining. Look up tributary in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Hopetoun Falls near Otway National Park, Victoria, Australia A waterfall is usually a geological formation resulting from water, often in the form of a stream, flowing over an erosion-resistant rock formation that forms a sudden break in elevation. ... A rock shelter is a shallow cave-like opening at the base of a bluff or cliff. ... Devils Tea Table, Athens County, Ohio Geologically speaking, a tea table is a rock formation that is a remnant of newer strata that have eroded away. ...

Given that a cliff need not be exactly vertical, there can be ambiguity about whether a given slope is a cliff or not, and also about how much of a certain slope to count as a cliff. (For example, given a truly vertical rock wall above a very steep slope, one could count only the rock wall, or the combination.) This makes listings of cliffs an inherently uncertain endeavor.

According to some sources, the highest cliff in the world, about 1,340 m high, is the east face of Great Trango in the Karakoram mountains of northern Pakistan. (This uses a fairly stringent notion of cliff, as the 1,340 m figure refers to a nearly vertical headwall; adding in a very steep approach brings the total height to over 1,600 m.) The highest sea cliffs, 1,010 m high, are located at Kalaupapa, Hawaii^[1]. (This uses a less stringent definition, as the average slope of these cliffs is about 1.7, corresponding to an angle of 60 degrees.) The Trango Towers are a group of dramatic granite spires located on the north side of the Baltoro Glacier, in Baltistan, a district of the Northern Areas of Pakistan. ... Located in the mountainous regions of Gilgit, Ladakh & Baltistan, Gilgit and Baltistan are in Pakistan, the Karakoram is one of the great Himalayan mountain ranges, with many of the highest and most daunting peaks of the world. ... Kalaupapa, Hawai‘i is a small village on the island of Moloka‘i in the state of Hawai‘i, and part of Kalawao County. ...

Considering a truly vertical drop, Mount Thor on Baffin Island in Arctic Canada is the highest at 1,370 m (4,500 ft) high in total (the top 480 m (1,600 ft) is overhanging). This is said to give it the longest purely vertical drop on Earth at 1,250 m (4,100 ft). Image:MtThor. ... Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada. ... The red line indicates the 10°C isotherm in July, commonly used to define the Arctic region border Satellite image of the Arctic surface The Arctic is the region around the Earths North Pole, opposite the Antarctic region around the South Pole. ...

Close-up view of Verona Rupes, a 20 km high fault scarp on Miranda, a moon of Uranus.^[2]

The highest cliff in the solar system may be Verona Rupes, an approximately 20 km (12 mile) high fault scarp on Miranda, a moon of Uranus. Download high resolution version (1016x1002, 73 KB)Miranda High Resolution of Large Fault This high-resolution image of Miranda was acquired by Voyager 2 on Jan. ... Download high resolution version (1016x1002, 73 KB)Miranda High Resolution of Large Fault This high-resolution image of Miranda was acquired by Voyager 2 on Jan. ... Verona Rupes is the tallest known cliff in the Solar System. ... A Fault Scarp is an apparant step in the ground caused by an earthquake. ... Miranda (IPA: ) is the smallest and innermost of Uranus major moons. ... Atmospheric characteristics Atmospheric pressure 120 kPa Hydrogen 83% Helium 15% Methane 1. ... Major features of the Solar System (not to scale, from left to right): Pluto, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter, the asteroid belt, the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth & Moon, and Mars. ... Verona Rupes is the tallest known cliff in the Solar System. ... A Fault Scarp is an apparant step in the ground caused by an earthquake. ... Miranda (IPA: ) is the smallest and innermost of Uranus major moons. ... Atmospheric characteristics Atmospheric pressure 120 kPa Hydrogen 83% Helium 15% Methane 1. ...

Large and famous cliffs

The following is an incomplete list of cliffs of the world. (see also Category:Cliffs)

Asia

Baintha Camp near Snow Lake

Above Sea Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (900x590, 83 KB) Baintha Camp near Snow Lake. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (900x590, 83 KB) Baintha Camp near Snow Lake. ...

• Masada, Israel 400m above Dead Sea

Above Land Combatants Jewish Zealots Roman Empire Commanders Elazar ben Yair Lucius Flavius Silva Strength 960 15,000 Casualties 953 Unknown, if any Masada (a romanization of the Hebrew מצדה, Metzada, from מצודה, metzuda, fortress) is the name for a site of ancient palaces and fortifications in the South District of Israel on... The Dead Sea ( Arabic: ‎, Hebrew: ‎)is the Earths lowest point not covered by ice, at 418 m (1371 feet) below sea level and falling[2], and the deepest hypersaline lake in the world, at 330 m (1083 feet) deep. ...

• Trango Towers in Baltoro Muztagh, Pakistan
• Uli Biaho Towers, Pakistan, near Trango Towers
• Baintha Brakk (The Ogre), Panmah Muztagh, Pakistan
• Latok Group, near Baintha Brakk
• Various cliffs in the Ak-Su Valley of Kyrgyzstan

The Trango Towers are a group of dramatic granite spires located on the north side of the Baltoro Glacier, in Baltistan, a district of the Northern Areas of Pakistan. ... The Baltoro Muztagh is a subrange of the Karakoram range. ... The Uli Biaho is a peak in near Trango Towers and Baltoro Glacier in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. ... The Trango Towers are a group of dramatic granite spires located on the north side of the Baltoro Glacier, in Baltistan, a district of the Northern Areas of Pakistan. ... The Ogre or Baintha Brakk is 7,285 m, steep craggy mountain in the Karakoram range of Pakistan. ... The Panmah Muztagh is a subrange of the Karakoram range, in Baltistan, a district of the Northern Areas of Pakistan. ... The Latok group is a small cluster of dramatic rock peaks in the Panmah Muztagh, part of the central Karakoram mountain range. ...

Europe

Preikestolen not far from Stavanger, Norway.

Above Sea Preikestolen, Rogaland, Norway File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Preikestolen, Rogaland, Norway File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Prekestolen Prekestolen Preikestolen (nynorsk) or Prekestolen (bokmÃ¥l/riksmÃ¥l) (aka Preachers Pulpit or Pulpit Rock) is a massive cliff 604 metres above Lysefjorden in Forsand, Norway. ... County Rogaland District Jæren Municipality NO-1103 Administrative centre Stavanger Mayor (1995-) Leif Johan Sevland (H) Official language form BokmÃ¥l Area  - Total  - Land  - Percentage Ranked 406 71 km² 68 km² 0. ...

• Cape Enniberg, Faroe Islands, 750 m above North Sea
• Croaghaun, Achill Island, Ireland, 668 m above Atlantic Ocean
• Vixía Herbeira, Northern Galicia, Spain, 621 m above Atlantic Ocean
• Preikestolen, Norway, 604 m above Lysefjorden
• Slieve League, Ireland, 601 m above Atlantic Ocean
• Cabo Girão, Madeira, 589 m above Atlantic Ocean
• Conachair, St Kilda, Scotland 427 m above Atlantic Ocean
• Cliffs of Moher, Ireland, 217 m above Atlantic Ocean
• Cap de la Nau, Spain, 200 m above Mediterranean sea
• Beachy Head, England, 162 m above the English Channel
• Møns Klint, Denmark, 143 m above Baltic Sea
• White cliffs of Dover, England, 100 m above the Strait of Dover
• Strunjan cliff, Slovenia, 80 m above the Jadran sea

Cliffs near Sortavala, Russia.

Above Land Cape Enniberg is the northernmost point of the Faroe Islands, located on the Island of Viðoy. ... The North Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean, located between the coasts of Norway and Denmark in the east, the coast of the British Isles in the west, and the German, Dutch, Belgian and French coasts in the south. ... Location of Achill Island. ... Northern may refer to the following articles: North Northern Bank, commercial bank in Northern Ireland. ... There are two well-known places called Galicia: Galicia, one of Spains autonomous communities. ... Prekestolen Prekestolen Preikestolen (nynorsk) or Prekestolen (bokmÃ¥l/riksmÃ¥l) (aka Preachers Pulpit or Pulpit Rock) is a massive cliff 604 metres above Lysefjorden in Forsand, Norway. ... The Lysefjord from Kjerag The Lysefjord from Lysebotn Lysefjord (or Lysefjorden, the suffix -en is a form of the definite article in the Norwegian language) is a fjord located in Ryfylke in south-western Norway. ... Slieve League cliffs Located on the coast of County Donegal, Ireland, Slieve League is one of the tallest sea cliffs in Europe. ... Cabo Girão Cabo Girão is a steep cliff located in the southern part of the island of Madeira located less than 2 km near Câmara de Lobos. ... Motto: Das ilhas, as mais belas e livres (Of all islands, the most beautiful and free) Anthem: A Portuguesa (national) Hino da Região Autónoma da Madeira (local) Capital (and largest city) Funchal Official languages Portuguese Government Autonomous region  - President Alberto João Jardim Independence  - Settled 1420   - Autonomy July... Mercator projection map of the St Kilda Island group with inset of the British Isles. ... Motto: (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity(English) Wha daur meddle wi me? (Scots)[1] Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic, Scots[2] Government  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister Tony Blair MP  - First Minister Jack McConnell MSP Unification    - by Kenneth I... Looking north towards OBriens Tower The Cliffs of Moher (Aillte an Mhothair, Cliffs of the ruin) are located in the parish of Liscannor at the south-western edge of The Burren area near Doolin, which is located in County Clare, Republic of Ireland. ... Location of Cap de la Nau. ... Composite satellite image of the Mediterranean Sea. ... The Beachy Head Lighthouse How the Beachy Head Lighthouse was built. ... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the King/Queen Capital London (de facto) Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification    - by Athelstan AD 927  Area    - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK)   50,346 sq mi  Population    - 2006 est. ... Satellite view of the English Channel The English Channel (French: La Manche (IPA: ), the sleeve) is the part of the Atlantic Ocean that separates the island of Great Britain from northern France and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. ... Møns Klint - 128 m high Møns Klint, English: , is an impressive landmark and tourist attraction along the eastern coast of the Danish island of Møn in the Baltic Sea. ... The Baltic Sea is located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. ... The location and extent of the white cliffs of Dover. ... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the King/Queen Capital London (de facto) Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification    - by Athelstan AD 927  Area    - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK)   50,346 sq mi  Population    - 2006 est. ... Satellite image of the Strait of Dover The Strait of Dover (French: Pas de Calais, i. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Sortavala (Russian: ) is a town in the Republic of Karelia, Russia, located at the northern tip of Lake Ladoga. ...

• Troll Wall, Norway 1100 m above base
• Mięguszowiecki Szczyt north face rises to 1043 m above Morskie Oko lake level, High Tatras, Poland
• Mały Kieżmarski Szczyt (north face), Tatra Mountains, Slovakia about 900 meters denivelation (vertical rise)
• Giewont (north face), Tatra Mountains, Poland, 852 meters above Polana Strążyska glade
• Kazalnica Mięguszowiecka, Tatra Mountains, Poland 576 m above the Czarny Staw pod Rysami

The Troll Wall (Norwegian: Trollveggen) is part of the mountain massif Trolltindene in the Romsdal valley on the Norwegian west coast. ... Morskie Oko is the largest and fourth deepest lake in the Tatra Mountains and is located in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Tatra mountains. ... Tatras The Tatra mountains, Tatras or Tatra (in Polish and Slovak Tatry), constitute a mountain range on the border of Poland and Slovakia, and are the highest section of the Carpathian Mountains. ... Giewont is a famous mountain in the Tatra Mountains in Poland. ... Tatras The Tatra mountains, Tatras or Tatra (in Polish and Slovak Tatry), constitute a mountain range on the border of Poland and Slovakia, and are the highest section of the Carpathian Mountains. ... Glade can mean: a brand of air freshener Glade Interface Designer, a GUI designer for GTK+ and GNOME The Glade, a hunting magazine published in London. ... Tatras The Tatra mountains, Tatras or Tatra (in Polish and Slovak Tatry), constitute a mountain range on the border of Poland and Slovakia, and are the highest section of the Carpathian Mountains. ... Czarny Staw pod Rysami is a smallish lake in the Tatra mountains in Poland. ...

North America

Southwest face of El Capitan from Yosemite Valley

• El Capitan, Yosemite Valley, Sierra Nevada, California, United States; about 900 m (3,000 ft) high
• Northwest Face of Half Dome, near El Capitan; 1,340 m (4,400 ft) total, vertical portion about 610 m (2,000 ft)
• All faces of Devil's Tower, Wyoming, United States
• Various faces of Shiprock, New Mexico, United States
• The North Face of North Twin Peak, Rocky Mountains, Alberta, Canada
• Mount Thor, Baffin Island, Canada; 1,370 m (4,500 ft) total; top 480 m (1,600 ft) is overhanging. This reputedly gives it the largest purely vertical drop on Earth at 1,250 m (4,100 ft).
• Mount Asgard, Baffin Island
• Painted Wall in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado, United States; 685 m (2,250 ft)
• The west face of Notch Peak in southwestern Utah, United States; a limestone cliff of about 670 m (2,200 ft)

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (3072x2048, 2157 KB) El Capitan in Yosemite National Park viewed from the Valley Floor. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (3072x2048, 2157 KB) El Capitan in Yosemite National Park viewed from the Valley Floor. ... Yosemite Valley with Half Dome in the distance. ... El Capitan is a 3,000-foot vertical rock formation in Yosemite Valley and Yosemite National Park. ... Yosemite Valley with Half Dome in the distance. ... This article is about the mountain range in the Western United States. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Half Dome is a granite dome at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley, possibly the Valleys most familiar sight. ... El Capitan is a 3,000-foot vertical rock formation in Yosemite Valley and Yosemite National Park. ... Devils Tower is a monolith (more technically, an igneous intrusion) or volcanic neck located near Hulett and Sundance in eastern Wyoming, above the Belle Fourche River. ... Official language(s) English Capital Cheyenne Largest city Cheyenne Area  Ranked 10th  - Total 97,818 sq mi (253,348 km²)  - Width 280 miles (450 km)  - Length 360 miles (580 km)  - % water 0. ... Shiprock Shiprock, or Shiprock Peak (Dine: Tsé Bit Aí, winged rock) is a rock formation rising nearly 1,800 feet (540 meters) above the high-desert plain on the Navajo reservation, near the northern New Mexico town of Shiprock. ... Capital Santa Fe Largest city Albuquerque Area  Ranked 5th  - Total 121,665 sq mi (315,194 km²)  - Width 342 miles (550 km)  - Length 370 miles (595 km)  - % water 0. ... North Twin Peak is one of the two peaks that comprise the Twin Peaks massif located just northeast of the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park. ... Rockies may also refer to the National League Baseball team, the Colorado Rockies. ... Motto: Fortis et liber (Latin: Strong and free) Official languages English (see below) Flower   Wild rose Tree Lodgepole Pine Bird Great Horned Owl Capital Edmonton Largest city Calgary Lieutenant-Governor Norman Kwong Premier Ed Stelmach (PC) Parliamentary representation  - House seats  - Senate seats 28 6 Area Total  - Land  - Water  (% of total... Image:MtThor. ... Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada. ... Mount Asgard is a well-known twin peaked mountain on Baffin Island, both flat-topped cylindrical rock towers, separated by a saddle. ... Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada. ... Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a United States National Park located in western Colorado. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Notch Peak is a summit located on Sawtooth Mountain in the House Range, west of Delta, Utah. ... Official language(s) English Capital Salt Lake City Largest city Salt Lake City Area  Ranked 13th  - Total 84,876 sq mi (219,887 km²)  - Width 270 miles (435 km)  - Length 350 miles (565 km)  - % water 3. ...

Greenland

• Nalumasortoq, Tasermiut Fjord, Greenland; over 800 m high

South America

Salto Angel from Raton

• Auyan Tepui (Angel Falls), about 1000 m (the falls are 979 m, the highest in the world)
• All faces of Cerro Torre, Patagonia, Chile-Argentina
• All faces of Cerro Chalten (Fitz Roy), Patagonia, Argentina
• Various faces of the Torres del Paine group, Patagonia, Chile

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 445 KB) Photo by Yosemite 05:11, 20 Mar 2005 (UTC). ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 445 KB) Photo by Yosemite 05:11, 20 Mar 2005 (UTC). ... Angel Falls or Salto Ángel (indigenous name: Kerepakupay Vená) is the worlds highest free-falling waterfall at 979 m (3,212 ft) with an uninterrupted drop of 807 m (2,648 ft) lying in the Canaima National Park, Venezuela at . It is situated in the river Churún, an... Cerro Torre is one of the most spectacular mountains of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in South America. ... In orange the area most commonly defined as Patagonia. ... Cerro Chaltén, also known as Cerro Fitzroy, is a mountain located in the Los Glaciares National Park of Patagonia, near the El Chaltén village, in the border between Argentina and Chile. ... In orange the area most commonly defined as Patagonia. ... Torres del Paine, Chile A view of the Torres del Paine National Park The three Towers of Paine (Spanish: Torres del Paine) in southern Chile are gigantic granite monoliths shaped by the forces of glacial ice. ... In orange the area most commonly defined as Patagonia. ...

References