Geomorphology is the study of the earth's landforms and the processes that made the landscape look the way it does today. What we see when we look at a scenic view is the result of the interplay of the forces that shape the earth's surface. These operate on many different timescales and involve geological as well as climatic forces. Adrian Harvey introduces the varying geomorphological forces and differing timescales which thus combine: from the global, which shape continents and mountain ranges; through the regional, producing hills and river basins; to the local, forming beaches, glaciers, and slopes; to those micro scale forces which weather rock faces and produce sediment. Finally, he considers the effect that humans have had on the world's topography. Introducing Geomorphology provides a structured and easily accessible introduction to the science of geomorphology for those with an adult curiosity about the landscape and for those contemplating a course of formal study in physical geography, geology, or environmental studies. As with sister volumes, technical terms are kept to a minimum and a glossary is provided.
Author(s): Adrian Harvey
Series: Introducing Earth and Environmental Sciences
Edition: 2
Publisher: Dunedin Academic Press
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 159
City: Edinburgh
Contents
List of illustrations, tables and information boxes
Preface
Acknowledgements
1 Introduction to geomorphology
1.1 What we mean by ‘landforms’
1.2 What we mean by spatial scales
1.3 What we mean by temporal scales
1.4 What we mean by fundamental driving forces
1.4.1 Internal (geological) forces
1.4.2 External (climatic) forces
1.5 Different approaches to the study of geomorphology
1.5.1 Two approaches
1.5.2 Data sources in geomorphology
2 Global-scale geomorphology
2.1 The plate tectonics context
2.1.1 The ocean floor
2.1.2 Global-scale continental landforms
2.2 The global climatic context
2.2.1 Climatic geomorphology
2.2.2 Quaternary climatic change: glaciation
2.2.3 Other changes to the climatic system during the Pleistocene
2.2.4 Quaternary sea-level change
2.3 Global-scale interactions between tectonic and climatic forces
3 Regional-scale geomorphology
3.1 Regional scale: structure
3.1.1 The regional-scale plate-tectonic setting
3.1.2 The direct creation of relief by internal processes
3.1.3 Lithology: resistance to erosion
3.1.4 Topographic expression of geological structure
3.2 Regional scale processes: the drainage network
3.2.1 Drainage evolution
3.2.2 Drainage network composition
3.3 Regional scale: evolution
3.3.1 Evidence of past landscapes
3.4 An example – the regional-scale geomorphologyof Europe
4 Local-scale geomorphology:process systems and landforms
4.1 Weathering systems
4.1.1 Mechanical weathering
4.1.2 Chemical weathering
4.1.3 Influence of climate on weathering regimes
4.2 Slope systems
4.2.1 Slope processes
4.2.1.1 Rockfall and scree processes
4.2.1.2 Overland flow
4.2.1.3 Mass movement processes (excluding landslides)
4.2.1.4 Landslides
4.2.2 Climatic influence on slope processes and slope profile morphology
4.3 Fluvial systems
4.3.1 Fluvial processes
4.3.2 Bedrock channels
4.3.3 Alluvial channels
4.3.4 Alluvial depositional forms
4.3.4.1 Floodplains
4.3.4.2 Alluvial fans
4.3.5 Fluvial change
4.4 Aeolian systems
4.4.1 Aeolian processes
4.4.2 Aeolian depositional morphology
4.5 Glacial systems
4.5.1 Glacial and fluvioglacial processes
4.5.2 Glacial and fluvioglacial erosional forms
4.5.3 Glacial and fluvioglacial depositional forms
4.6 Coastal systems
4.6.1 Coastal processes
4.6.2 Erosional coasts
4.6.3 Depositional coasts
4.6.4 Interactions with coastal biology
4.6.5 Coastal change
4.6.6 Lake shorelines
5 Timescales and landform evolution
5.1 Landscape evolution – an example: late Quaternary landscapes of Carlingill, Cumbria
5.2 Relative dating
5.3 Absolute dating
5.4 Temporal and spatial scales: synthesis – two examples
5.4.1 Upland northwest England
5.4.2 The Sorbas basin: southeast Spain
6 Geomorphologyand interactions with society
6.1 Human impact on geomorphicregimes
6.1.1 The past: the historical context
6.1.2 The present: the impact of modern society
6.1.3 The future: projected effects of global warming
6.2 Applied geomorphology
6.3 Geomorphologyin education and research
Further reading
Classics
High-school texts
University-level texts
Encyclopaedic works
Specialist fields (selected examples only)
Useful websites
Glossary
