spring sapping A set of geomorphological processes that erode a hillslope around the site where a spring emerges. The processes may include the collapse of saturated material, surface stream erosion, and chemical weathering. It occurs towards the bases of chalk escarpments in southern England, where its effect may have been enhanced by frost activity under former periglacial conditions.

spring sapping The erosion of a hillslope around the site where a spring emerges. The processes involved may include the collapse of saturated material, surface stream erosion, and chemical weathering. Spring sapping occurs towards the bases of chalk escarpments in southern England, where its effect may have been enhanced by frost activity under former periglacial conditions.