Rock piles are often scattered across landscapes as a result of various geological processes. These natural structures take on different forms and sizes, each with their own unique characteristics. Synonyms for rock piles include stone heaps, cairns, rocky mounds, boulder fields, scree, and talus. Stone heaps are small to medium-sized piles of rocks stacked up and used for cairns, landmarks, or trail markers. Cairns are typically larger and more organized piles of rocks used to mark hiking or climbing routes. Rocky mounds are tall, isolated rock piles, often found on mountaintops. Boulder fields are large expanses of jumbled boulders. Scree and talus are steep slopes or cliffs composed of loose rocks of varying sizes.