PHOTO PATTERN DATA ELEMENTS: SANDY SHALE
The Great Plains- This is a region of buttes, mesas, and badlands called the Missouri
Plateau. This ridge/plain, badland feature occurs as an old plateau on the northwestern
fringe of the High Plains. It is known s the Break of the Plains, an escarpment
characterized by badland forms, steep slopes, and isolated buttes and peaks; these areas
were never glaciated. (Semi-arid)
Form
Escarpment, strong relief, narrow, sharp ridges and very Vshaped gullies, dissected, steep hillsides.
Drainage
Super fine, sub-parallel.
Gully Characteristics
Extremely V-shaped, fine-textured erosion pattern; area is
extremely susceptible to erosion due to the aridity which
eliminates the possibility for establishment of vegetation;
also soil is fine and relatively soft.
Special Features
Super sharp ridges and extremely fine drainage pattern.
Color (Photo Gray Tones) Light on ridges, dark on slopes and in valleys.
Land Use
Scientific excavation, recreation.
Vegetation
Mostly barren with some grass and scrub growth in valleys.
Source: Terrain analysis procedural guide for surface configuration, US Army engineer
topographic laboratories, p. 7-83