Terracette

In geomorphology, a terracette is a type of landform, a ridge on a hillside formed when saturated soil particles expand, then contract as they dry, causing them to move slowly downhill. An example of this is the manger near the Uffington White Horse. It may also be described as a small, irregular step-like formation on steep hillslopes, especially on those used for pasture which are formed by soil creep or erosion of surface soils exacerbated by the trampling of livestock such as sheep or cattle. Synonyms (not preferred) are: catstep, cattle terracing, sheep or cattle track.

The pattern as seen in Uffington White Horse can be seen more clearly in two images in this external link These patterns are not created for cattle, but made by cattle in their tendency to walk horizontally rather than vertically. The shift of their path and continued use results in such patterns.

See also

• Downland

External links

• Geology and geomorphology