Page "Cuesta" Paragraph 3

In structural geology and geomorphology, a cuesta ( from Spanish: " slope ") is a ridge formed by gently tilted sedimentary rock strata in a homoclinal structure.

Cuestas have a steep slope, where the rock layers are exposed on their edges, called an escarpment or, if more steep, a cliff.

Usually an erosion-resistant rock layer also has a more gentle slope on the other side of the ridge called a dip slope.

Because the slope of a homoclinal ridge dips in the same direction as the sedimentary strata, the dip angle of this bedding ( Ө ) can be calculated by v / h = tan ( Ө ) where v is equal to the vertical distance and h is equal to the horizontal distance perpendicular to the strike of the beds.