bare rock surface; rock face
Refers to the exposed surface of a rock or cliff, often emphasizing its texture, color, or bareness.
The rain-wet rock surface is glistening.
The climbers ascended the steep rock face.
崖 means cliff, emphasizing the steep drop; 岩肌 focuses on the rocky surface itself, which may be part of a cliff.
Standard kanji form; high frequency in news and general use.
Rarely used kanji form; 肌 is overwhelmingly preferred.
Compound of 岩 (iwa, 'rock') and 肌 (hada, 'skin'), literally 'rock skin', referring to the exposed surface of a rock.