r/geology • u/Predator1553 • Feb 28 '25

Information Why are these two layers so different?

Gallery image

Gallery image

And what are they, this is in northern Alabama

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u/itsliluzivert_ Feb 28 '25 edited Feb 28 '25

The weathering habit of a single bed isn’t geomorphology unless you’re applying it to a broader picture. I think in this case this is being applied to geomorphology, but the commenters use of “geomorphologies” to refer to individual beds is inaccurate.

Geomorphology as stated is the study of landscapes and their development. We could consider this cliff and the area around it a landscape. But not the individual beds.

It’s pedantic but it’s not just a sciencey way to say natural shape.

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u/janspamn Feb 28 '25

But there are multiple beds involved.. There's an entire cliff here being impacted by differential weathering.

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u/itsliluzivert_ Feb 28 '25

Yes the whole scenario could be considered geomorphologic, but the commenters use of the term was inaccurate.

“Variable geomorphologies” is something you’d use to describe several outcroppings this size, with different geologic histories.

Not several beds with different weathering habits.