# Steilhang > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Steilhang > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Steilhang.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steilhang > Source revision: 1335513812 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Terrain at a slope of 30° or more}} {{italic title}} thumb|A ''steilhang'' A '''''Steilhang''''' ({{IPA|de|ˈʃtaɪlhaŋ|lang|De-Steilhang.ogg}}; {{pl.|''Steilhänge''}} {{IPA|de|ˈʃtaɪlhɛŋə||De-Steilhänge.ogg}}) is a [geoscientific](/source/geoscientific) term for a steep mountainside or hillside (or a part thereof), the average slope of which is greater than 1:2 or 30°. Leser defines a ''steilhang'' as a mountainside with an incline of between 16° and 60°, slopes of between 30° and 60° being described as "very steep" (''übersteil'') and anything over 60° being a rock face (''wand''). The term is German for "steep slope/mountainside/hillside", "escarpment"Leser, Hartmut, ed. (2005). ''Wörterbuch Allgemeine Geographie'', 13th ed., dtv, Munich, p. 893. {{ISBN|978-3-423-03422-7}}. or "steep face". The word ''hang'' in this compound is derived from ''hängen'', "to hang". Also compare the British English word ''hanger'' (from Old English ''hangra'') for a steep wooded slope (compare [Hanger Lane](/source/Hanger_Lane)), or used to mean woods on steep hillsides, e.g. for the [East Hampshire Hangers](/source/East_Hampshire_Hangers). == Geology == The formation of slopes of different gradients depends on the one hand on the type of underlying [rock](/source/rock_(geology)) of the mountain or hill - and this may result in slopes varying from those on the other side of a mountain, hill or valley – and on the other hand on its local hardness, and circumstances of its deposition ([sedimentation](/source/sedimentation), stratigraphy, [bedding](/source/bed_(geology)) or [jointing](/source/joint_(geology))), on its resistance to [erosion](/source/erosion_(geology)) and not least on the water flow and local [climatic conditions](/source/microclimate). From a [geomorphological](/source/geomorphological) standpoint, there is a distinction made between ''steilhänge'' not simply on the basis of their gradient and [rock type](/source/rock_type), but especially on their [aspect](/source/Aspect_(geography)) (i.e. their orientation), their rotundity or roughness (small shapes, flexion, steps, [terraces](/source/terrace_(geology)), drainage etc.), the vegetation on the mountainsides or hillsides and the [soil formation](/source/soil_science). For example, the soil type known as ''[ranker](/source/rankers)'' gets its name from the word ''Ranker'' which is commonly used in Western [Austria](/source/Austria) to mean ''steilhang''. == Natural dangers == ''Steilhänge'' present various natural dangers if they are not forested or interrupted by gentler slopes: * [Landslide](/source/Landslide)s – especially if the [soil](/source/soil) is saturated after long periods of rain or during [snowmelt](/source/snowmelt) * [Collapse](/source/Sturzstrom) – if there is a [rock face](/source/rock_face) or heavily eroded crags above, or * [Rockfall](/source/Rockfall), a less severe occurrence * Destruction caused by [mudflow](/source/mudflow)s during bad weather or [avalanche](/source/avalanche)s * episodic or sudden rock creep, that may threaten to impound water. == Farming == ''Steilhänge'' of up to about 40° can in principle be used for farming – for example to make [hay](/source/hay) or in [forestry](/source/forestry) to obtain [wood](/source/wood). Under favourable climatic conditions they can even be used for [viticulture](/source/viticulture). But they are only rarely economic when compared with more level landscapes with which they are in competition. As a result, hill farmers (their definition varies according to the location of the uplands and their hillsides) are usually supported from the public purse. This support of the [alpine](/source/Altitudinal_zonation) forestry and agriculture is sometimes not only justified, but also essential. Traditionally the higher level authorities are responsible (especially the German states for example), because the individual municipalities are economically unable to. [Geotechnological](/source/Geotechnics) institutions from the fields of mining, avalanche protection and tourism, as well as the [EU](/source/EU) are active in supporting the affected [highland](/source/highland)s in Europe Through sensible support, hill farmers are encouraged or enabled to continue to work their farms or [alms](/source/alm_(alpine)). Where this does not happen, the damage caused by the aforementioned natural dangers is generally more costly over time than the costs of subsidising hill farming. The advantages of protective and support measures are: * Preservation of [protected forest](/source/protected_forest)s (especially against mudflows and avalanches) * General conservation ("hill farmers as landscape gardeners") * [Environmental protection](/source/Environmental_protection) (e.g. preservation of [soil quality](/source/soil_fertility), biodiversity, etc...) * [Tourism](/source/Tourism) (desire for "intact [landscape](/source/landscape)s", native customs, etc.) * Control of [mountain stream](/source/mountain_stream)s and [avalanche](/source/avalanche)s * Protection of [road](/source/road)s and stabilization of [forest track](/source/forest_track)s * Increased self-sufficiency in terms of the local supply of food and raw materials * Regional aspects of [planning](/source/planning). == References == {{Reflist}} {{Authority control}} Category:Geomorphology Category:Landforms Category:Topography --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Steilhang](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steilhang) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steilhang?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.