Traditionally in
geomorphology, a
flatiron is a steeply sloping triangular landform created by the differential erosion of a steeply
dipping, erosion-resistant
layer of rock overlying softer strata. Flatirons have wide bases that form the base of a steep, triangular facet that narrows upward into a point at its summit. The dissection of a
hogback by regularly spaced streams often resulted in the formation of a series of flatirons along the strike of the rock layer that formed the hogback. As noted in some, but not all definitions, a number of flatirons are perched upon the slope of a larger mountain with the rock layer forming the flatiron
inclined in the same direction as, but often at a steeper angle than the associated mountain slope. The name
flatiron refers their resemblance to an upended, household flatiron.