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Terrace pediments occupy approximately 30 per cent of the bottom of the Makhtesh Ramon erosional cirque in the central Negev Desert, Israel. River terraces and terrace pediments are genetically connected landforms, where each terrace pediment corresponds with a fluvial terrace of the same relative height. A pediment and river terrace constitute a geomorphic pair and should be regarded as chronometrically synchronous morphological elements. The formation of the terrace pediment staircases is controlled mainly by local base level changes. The present-day configuration and overall morphology of Makhtesh Ramon formed in the early stages of its development by both stream erosion and subsequent pedimentation. Less significantly, modification by intermittent erosion alternating with periods of stability, resulted in deepening of the Makhtesh Ramon bottom. The present-day stepped relief throughout the Makhtesh valley is, thus, a composite feature. The overall rate of terrace pediment formation in Makhtesh Ramon ranges from 0.05 to 0.10 mm a(-1). Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.