"Geomorphology is the scientific study of the origin and evolution of topographic and bathymetric features created by physical, chemical or biological processes operating at or near Earth's surface."
The study of how the Earth's surface is shaped by geological processes, including weathering, erosion, and deposition.
Plate Tectonics: This topic covers the movement of the Earth's lithosphere plates, and how they influence geomorphological processes.
Erosion and Weathering: The study of how nature breaks down landforms through chemical, physical, and biological processes.
Fluvial Systems: The study of river systems and the formation of channels, floodplains, and deltas.
Glacial Geomorphology: The study of how glaciers shape landforms such as valleys, cirques, and moraines.
Volcanology: The study of how volcanoes form, and how volcanic activity affects the surrounding geomorphic features.
Coastal Geomorphology: This topic covers the study of how to understand how waves, tides, and currents shape the coastlines.
Karst Topography: The study of how water dissolves limestone and other soluble rocks to create sinkholes and caves.
Earthquake and Faulting: The study of how earthquakes occur and how they create faults and changes in the land surface.
Geomorphological Mapping: The topic introduces students to the mapping of landforms using aerial photographs, satellite images, and field observations.
Geomorphometry: The study of the quantitative analysis of Earth's surface morphology. It includes methods such as remote sensing, GIS, and digital elevation models.
Isostasy: The concept of gravitational equilibrium, which defines how the crust and mantle interact with each other resulting in landforms.
Geologic Time and Stratigraphy: The study of Earth's geological history, including the processes that led to the formation of the rock structures.
Geoarchaeology: The interdisciplinary study of human activity and landscapes, which combine geology and archaeology.
Geomorphology and Natural Hazards: The topic covers the link between geomorphological processes and natural hazards such as landslides, floods, and wildfires.
Paleoclimatology: The study of how to reconstruct ancient climate conditions and environments from the geomorphological features of the earth.
Fluvial Geomorphology: The study of landforms and processes created by flowing water, such as rivers and streams.
Coastal Geomorphology: The study of landforms and processes on or adjacent to the coast, including beaches, cliffs, and estuaries.
Glacial Geomorphology: The study of landforms and processes related to glaciers and ice sheets, such as moraines and drumlins.
Karst Geomorphology: The study of limestone terrain and landforms created by the dissolution of soluble rocks, such as sinkholes and caves.
Aeolian Geomorphology: The study of landforms and processes related to wind erosion and deposition, such as sand dunes and loess.
Tectonic Geomorphology: The study of landforms and processes created by tectonic activity, including fault scarps and uplifted mountain ranges.
Volcanic Geomorphology: The study of landforms and processes related to volcanic activity, including lava flows and ash deposits.
Structural Geomorphology: The study of landforms and processes related to the deformation and folding of rocks, such as synclines and anticlines.
Periglacial Geomorphology: The study of landforms and processes related to freezing and thawing of the ground, such as patterned ground and pingos.
Planetary Geomorphology: The study of landforms and processes on other planets and moons in our solar system, such as Martian valleys and lunar craters.
"Geomorphologists seek to understand why landscapes look the way they do, to understand landform and terrain history and dynamics and to predict changes..."
"...through a combination of field observations, physical experiments, and numerical modeling."
"Geomorphologists work within disciplines such as physical geography, geology, geodesy, engineering geology, archaeology, climatology, and geotechnical engineering."
"This broad base of interests contributes to many research styles and interests within the field."
"...physical, chemical, or biological processes operating at or near Earth's surface."
"...landform and terrain history and dynamics..."
"...a combination of field observations, physical experiments, and numerical modeling."
"Geomorphologists work within disciplines such as physical geography and geology..."
"Geomorphologists work within disciplines such as engineering geology..."
"Geomorphologists work within disciplines such as archaeology..."
"Geomorphologists work within disciplines such as climatology..."
"Geomorphologists work within disciplines such as geotechnical engineering..."
"Geomorphologists seek to understand why landscapes look the way they do..."
"...to understand landform and terrain history and dynamics..."
"...to predict changes..."
"...field observations, physical experiments, and numerical modeling."
"This broad base of interests contributes to many research styles and interests within the field."
"...processes operating at or near Earth's surface."
"...the origin and evolution of topographic and bathymetric features created by physical, chemical, or biological processes operating at or near Earth's surface."