<p>It's called a 'break in slope' or a '<a href="http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/break-in-slope" rel="nofollow noreferrer">break of slope</a>'.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-04T04:09:44.370Z
My old man was an Oregon forester and surveyor.  His term for what you describe was the "toe" of the slope.
Stu Smith
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-27T19:49:20.687Z
2019-04-28T03:37:16.887Z
2019-04-28T03:37:16.887Z
Fab von Bellingshausen
<p>As far as I am aware there is no single term to describe the sudden <strong>change</strong> in the gradient of a slope. Personally I would describe it simply as a <em>sudden increase in slope</em>. However there are many words to describe the landforms that occur when gradient sharply increase.</p>

<p>Terms such as <em>cliff, escarpment</em> and <em>mountainside</em> all describe the steep landform as whole. Whereas terms such as <em>flank</em> or <em>face</em> describe the side of the hill only with a steep gradient.</p>

<p>You might find this link particularly helpful:
<a href="https://www.macmillandictionary.com/thesaurus-category/british/parts-and-features-of-mountains-hills-and-cliffs" rel="noreferrer">https://www.macmillandictionary.com/thesaurus-category/british/parts-and-features-of-mountains-hills-and-cliffs</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-28T21:54:53.213Z
*meeting the flank* best name
Alice Monday
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-25T02:17:49.467Z
2019-04-25T02:17:49.467Z
Matt_Illing
<p>What is it called for the part of a hill where it discontinuously gets steeper? If you climbing an easy slope and encounter a new steeper slope (such as formed by a rocky hill and accompanying soil slopes leading up to it), is this change called anything?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-25T02:04:34.680Z
Cliff, if steep enough?
Gimelist
<terminology>
What is it called for the part of a hill where it discontinuously gets steeper?
Alice Monday
# What is it called for the part of a hill where it discontinuously gets steeper?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-04-24)

What is it called for the part of a hill where it discontinuously gets steeper? If you climbing an easy slope and encounter a new steeper slope (such as formed by a rocky hill and accompanying soil slopes leading up to it), is this change called anything?

**Tags:** terminology

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Cliff, if steep enough?  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2019-04-25. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

As far as I am aware there is no single term to describe the sudden **change** in the gradient of a slope. Personally I would describe it simply as a *sudden increase in slope*. However there are many words to describe the landforms that occur when gradient sharply increase.

Terms such as *cliff, escarpment* and *mountainside* all describe the steep landform as whole. Whereas terms such as *flank* or *face* describe the side of the hill only with a steep gradient.

You might find this link particularly helpful:
<https://www.macmillandictionary.com/thesaurus-category/british/parts-and-features-of-mountains-hills-and-cliffs>

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: *meeting the flank* best name  

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### Answer by username_2 on 2019-04-27. Score: 3

It's called a 'break in slope' or a '[break of slope](http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/break-in-slope)'.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: My old man was an Oregon forester and surveyor.  His term for what you describe was the "toe" of the slope.  

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