"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 and chemical processes that shape the surface features of planets and moons.
Plate Tectonics: Study of the movement and interactions of Earth's lithospheric plates.
Earth's Interior: Study of the structure, composition, and dynamics of Earth's core, mantle, and crust.
Weathering and Erosion: Study of the physical and chemical breakdown and transport of Earth's surface materials.
Landscape Evolution: Study of the processes that shape and change the Earth's surface over time.
Fluvial Geomorphology: Study of the formation and evolution of river systems and their associated landforms.
Glaciology: Study of the properties, behavior, and dynamics of glaciers and ice sheets.
Coastal Geomorphology: Study of coastal processes, landforms, and the interactions between the land and the ocean.
Volcanology: Study of volcanoes and volcanic processes, including eruption styles and hazards.
Geomorphometry: Study of the quantitative measurement and analysis of landscape features using digital elevation models and geographic information systems.
Planetary Geology: Study of the geology and geomorphology of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets in our solar system.
Sedimentology: Study of the properties, processes, and depositional environments of sedimentary rocks and their sediments.
Geomorphological Mapping: Study of the production of maps that represent the distribution and types of landforms and other geomorphological features.
Geochronology: Study of the ages of rocks and other geologic materials using various dating techniques.
Geoarchaeology: Study of the relationships between humans, landscapes, and environmental processes throughout history.
Fluvial geomorphology: The study of how running water can change the shape and form of landscapes, including the effects of erosion and sediment transport by streams and rivers.
Coastal geomorphology: The study of how coastal processes, such as waves, tides, and currents, shape the land and affect local ecosystems, including beaches, dunes, and cliffs.
Glacial geomorphology: The study of how glaciers shape and alter landscapes, including how glacial erosion and deposition can create features such as valleys, lakes, and moraines.
Karst geomorphology: The study of landscapes formed by soluble rocks such as limestone, including the development of caves and sinkholes, and the effects of groundwater flow on the surface.
Aeolian geomorphology: The study of how wind affects landforms, including the formation of sand dunes, desert pavement, and other features.
Tectonic geomorphology: The study of how tectonic forces, such as earthquakes, uplift, and folding, shape and deform landscapes over time, including the creation and erosion of mountains and the formation of fault lines.
Catastrophic geomorphology: The study of how sudden and intense events, such as volcanic eruptions, landslides, and meteorite impacts, can rapidly change landscapes and create new landforms.
Planetary geomorphology: The study of how geomorphic processes shape and alter landscapes on planets, moons, asteroids, and other celestial bodies, including Mars, the Moon, and Saturn's moon, Titan.
Biogeomorphology: The study of how organisms, including plants, animals, and microbes, interact with and shape their environments, including the formation of soil, the creation of habitats, and the formation of ecosystem services.
"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."