noun
- Plural of peneplain; gently rolling landscapes with low relief formed by long-term erosion of mountains or highlands, nearly reduced to sea level.
Usage: geology; technical term
Examples
- The Appalachian Mountains are thought to be remnants of ancient peneplains that have been uplifted and re-eroded.
- Geologists study peneplains to understand the long-term erosion history of continental regions.
- The flat-topped hills in the region are characteristic features of old peneplains.
- Over millions of years, tectonic uplift can rejuvenate peneplains and create new mountain ranges.
- The concept of peneplains was developed by geomorphologist William Morris Davis in the late 19th century.