"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 the physical features of the earth's surface, including its landforms, soils, and water bodies.
Plate tectonics: Understanding the movement of Earth's lithosphere plates and the resulting landforms.
Weathering and erosion: Processes that shape the Earth's surface by breaking down and carrying away rocks and sediment.
Fluvial processes: How water shapes and changes landforms through erosion, deposition, and sediment transport.
Glacial processes: The relationships between ice, water, and heat that form glacial landforms such as valleys, moraines, and eskers.
Coastal processes: The interactions between land and sea, including shoreline erosion and deposition and the formation of coastal landforms like beaches and dunes.
Karst processes: The processes of dissolution and precipitation that form karst features such as sinkholes, caves, and underground water systems.
Volcanism: The study of volcanic processes and landforms, including volcanic cones and lava flows.
Geomorphic hazards: How landforms can pose hazards to humans and communities, including landslides, avalanches, and floods.
Topography: The measurement and characterization of landforms and the landscape, including mapping and remote sensing techniques.
Geomorphological history: The evolution of landscapes over time and how geologic forces have shaped the Earth's surface.
Fluvial Geomorphology: Focuses on the study of river and stream processes, including erosion, sediment transport, and deposition.
Coastal Geomorphology: Examines the processes that shape the coastlines, including wave action, tides, and currents.
Glacial Geomorphology: Studies the features and processes associated with glaciers and other ice masses, including erosion, deposition, and the formation of landforms like moraines and cirques.
Karst Geomorphology: Explores the features and processes associated with karst landscapes, including sinkholes, caves, and underground drainage systems.
Volcanic Geomorphology: Focuses on the landforms and processes associated with volcanoes, including lava flows, ash deposits, and volcanic landforms like calderas and craters.
Mountain Geomorphology: Studies the processes that shape mountain landscapes, including erosion, weathering, and tectonic uplift.
Eolian Geomorphology: Examines the landforms and processes associated with the transportation, deposition, and erosion of sediment by wind.
Periglacial Geomorphology: Studies the landforms and processes associated with cold, arid environments, including permafrost, frost heaving, and solifluction.
Urban Geomorphology: Examines the landforms and processes associated with urban environments, including the impact of human disturbances on natural geomorphological processes.
Geomorphometry: Focuses on the quantitative analysis of landforms and their spatial characteristics, using methods like remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS).
Paleogeomorphology: Studies the evolution and history of landforms and landscapes, including their formation and transformation over geological time.
Geomorphic Hazards: Examines the hazards associated with geomorphological processes, including landslides, flooding, and erosion, and the ways in which they can be managed and mitigated.
Planetary Geomorphology: Explores the landforms and processes associated with other planetary bodies in our solar system, including Mars, Venus, and the Moon.
"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."