Trailing edge
A break edge (also break edge or tear-off edge ) represents a sudden breakdown of the terrain surface and reveals the pending soil layers. In this case the floor must be sufficiently stable. If the existing soil is not stable or if it loses its cohesion due to the weather , part of the slope can collapse and form a new edge ( terrain break ).
Natural origin
Natural breaklines can be found on many coastlines around the world. The break-off edges also form part of the coastal strip on the German coasts of the North Sea and Baltic Sea . The edge is created on the North Sea along the side of the green foreland of the dike facing the tidal flats due to the surf of the waves of the high tide . This edge is often stepped and usually around 1 m high.
The shape and the position of the edge of the break-off are subject to a constant process of erosion , which means that from time to time parts of the steep slope fall off and the break-off edge moves further inland. Because of this, the shape of the coastline changes again and again over the years.
On the banks of rivers, too, natural breaklines occur as a result of high currents, for example when spring floods are diverted . Abrupt edges occur on bank areas made of earth, as the material is carried away by the water and washed away.
Artificial creation
The open-cast mining sites created for the extraction of raw materials have a demolition edge on their outer edge, where the terrain slopes steeply. In addition to erosion, the mining equipment ( wheel loaders , bucket wheel excavators ) is driving the demolition edge further.