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  • Causes of Steep Cliffs: Erosion, Glaciers & More
    Steep cliffs are most often carved out by erosion, specifically:

    * Water erosion: Rivers, waves, and rain can all wear away rock over time, creating cliffs.

    * Glacial erosion: Massive glaciers can carve out deep valleys and leave behind steep cliffs as they retreat.

    * Wind erosion: Wind can carry sand and other abrasive particles that wear down rock, especially in desert environments.

    Other factors that can contribute to cliff formation:

    * Tectonic activity: Earthquakes and volcanic activity can cause sudden shifts in the landscape, creating cliffs.

    * Faulting: Cracks and breaks in the Earth's crust can be exposed by erosion, leading to cliff formation.

    * Differential weathering: Different types of rock erode at different rates, leading to the formation of cliffs where more resistant rock is exposed.

    It's important to note that these processes often work together to create the dramatic landscapes we see with steep cliffs.

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