Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images have been obtained from the surfaces of silicon carbide nanowires produced in the thermolysis-induced carbonization of halocarbons ( combustion synthesis). The morphology of the nanowires shows trench-like features perpendicular to the fibres' axis, which is assigned to the existence of microfacets on their sidewalls. For the first time high-resolution STM images of the SiC nanowires are presented. The results are in agreement with the previous reports suggesting the presence of microfacets on the SiC whiskers' surface. (c) 2008 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.