hummock
Quick Summary
A hummock is a small, rounded hill or knoll. The term can also refer to a ridge of ice. In topography, the word "hummocky" describes an uneven surface.12
A specific type of hummocky topography is known as thermokarst. This occurs when permafrost, ground that remains frozen year-round, thaws. The melting of ice within the permafrost causes the ground to settle unevenly, creating features like pits, mounds, sinkholes, and hummocks. This uneven terrain can resemble karst topography found in limestone areas. Thermokarst formations can be caused by a warming climate or by human activities that disturb the ground's surface, such as deforestation or construction.34
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