A bluff is a steep, high bank or cliff, typically formed by erosion along rivers, coastlines, or other areas where water and wind action can remove softer materials, leaving behind harder, more resistant rock. Bluffs are significant in the study of erosion, sediment transport, and the formation of landforms, providing insights into the processes shaping the landscape.
Reference: Thornbury, W. D. (1954). Principles of Geomorphology. Wiley.