Knife-edged, steep-sided ridge found in upland areas that have been or are being glaciated, and formed by the meeting of adjacent cirque headwalls. It may be diversified by ‘gendarmes’ (abrupt rock pinnacles that have resisted frost shattering).
Geography
A steep knife-edge ridge between corries or glacial troughs in a glacially eroded, mountainous region. Arêtes are possibly formed by the backward extension of corries into a mountain mass, or moulded by nivation and frost wedging.