ClimateAugust 26, 2026
escarpment
eh-SKARP-muhnt
Definition
A long, steep slope or cliff at the edge of a plateau or separating areas of land at different heights.
Etymology
Derived from the French word 'escarpement' and the Italian 'scarpa', originally referring to the slope of a fortification or a steep rock face.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe the steep coastal terrain that formed as Antarctica's landmass rose, creating the elevation necessary for glaciers to accumulate.
New Study Reveals Why Antarctica Became Iced Before the Arctic
Read the full article ↗SSBCrack