ABSTRACT
Landforms refer to various forms of the Earth's surface that result from internal and external geological processes over time. Loess landforms can be divided into three main types, namely, platform, ridges, and hillocks. Loess landforms also include a variety of secondary landforms, such as loess dishes, loess craters, loess walls, and loess columns, which coexist with main landform types. Subsurface erosion landforms mainly include loess craters, loess bridges, and hanging gullies. The present landform of the Loess Plateau of China was formed and developed gradually over a long geological time. In addition, loess walls or loess columns are formed via the erosion of soil by water flow along the edges of gully landforms or the joints parallel to gully walls. The development of loess landforms is accompanied by the accumulation and erosion of loess, which result in the multi-period change of loess landforms. The late evolution of loess landforms resulted from the continuous disintegration of loess platforms, ridges, and hillocks.
