A hogback is a homoclinal ridge composed of steeply tilted strata of rock protruding from the surrounding area. The name comes from the ridge resembling the ridge between the shoulders of a hog. In many cases, the two strata that compose a hogback are different types of sedimentary rock with differing weathering rates. The softer rock erodes more quickly than overlying hard rock. Over time, the softer rock retreats to a point where the hard and soft rock strata are adjacent. This creates cliffs that steepen as the softer rock continues to erode. The defining characteristics of a hogback a steep dip slope that is greater than 30° - 40° with a near symmetric slope on each ridge face. A cuesta is a homoclinal ridge with a more gentle dip slope.

References

• Easterbrook, D. J. (1999) Surface processes and landforms. (Second Ed). Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.