description Cotswold Escarpment Overview
The Cotswold Escarpment is the steep western-facing edge of the Cotswold Hills in England. It is formed mainly from Jurassic limestone and functions as a cuesta, with a resistant rock layer producing a long ridge above the surrounding lower ground. The escarpment extends through parts of Gloucestershire and nearby counties and includes elevated grassland, woodland, springs, and viewpoints over the Severn Vale.
help Cotswold Escarpment FAQ
What is the Cotswold Escarpment?
The Cotswold Escarpment is the steep western-facing edge of the Cotswold Hills in England. It forms a long ridge above the lower ground to the west.
What type of landform is the Cotswold Escarpment?
It is a cuesta, a landform created when a resistant rock layer protects one side of a ridge while softer rock erodes more quickly on the other. Jurassic limestone is a major part of its geology.
Why is the Cotswold Escarpment so steep?
The escarpment's steep face reflects differences in resistance between rock layers. Resistant Jurassic limestone forms the higher ridge, while surrounding softer material has eroded more readily.
Which side of the Cotswolds does the escarpment face?
The escarpment faces west. From the lower ground, it appears as the prominent western edge of the Cotswold Hills.
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