Duricrusts that develop in low-lying areas where surface and subsurface flows of water
converge may retard valley down-cutting to such an extent that the surrounding higher regions wear down faster than the valley floor, eventually leading to inverted relief (Box 7.3).
Where duricrusts have been broken up by prolonged erosion, fragments may persist on the surface,carrying on their protective role.
The gibber plains of central Australia are an example of such longlasting emnants of duricrusts and consist of silcrete boulders strewn about the land surface.