Backwearing of slopes - the development of an idea

Abstract

The scarp retreat or backwearing model of slope behaviour has its roots in the geometrical deductions of Osmond Fisher, and the realisation due to Walther Penck and others that such slopes evolve from the base upwards. Basal weathering and erosion maintains slopes at the steepest inclination commensurate with stability and implies the possibility of long distance scarp retreat, as envisaged by Lester King and others. A caprock enhances the scarp retreat mechanism but is not essential, for moisture gravitates to lower levels ensuring that basal weathering and erosion exceeds that taking place at higher slope levels.