Minor forms developed on gentle slopes - Landforms and Geology of Granite Terrains - page 222

(a)

(b)

Figure 9.15. Relic runnel or gutter segments (a) on granite block near Bruce Rock, southwest of Western

Australia, (b) on mushroom rock at Caloote, western Murray Basin, South Australia.

9.4.3 Origin
As it has been mentioned, some gutters run along fractures, exploiting the zones of more rapid and
intense weathering associated with access of water to the rock. Others, though straight, are not
associated with obvious partings, but are probably aligned along zones of stress within which
crystals disturbed by strain are especially susceptible to weathering ( Fig. 9.16) . Slope is, however,
a prime determinant of channel orientation and hence pattern.