Answer:

two potential geomorphic factors: (1) exogenic impact phenomena from solar debris possibly modified by tidal disruption caused by nearby planetoids, or radiation phenomena tied mainly to the Sun resulting principally in climatic influences and biologic activity, and (2) endogenic phenomena related to internal heating and expressed as tectonism and volcanism,…

READ MORE

gold deposits

Nobles Nob gold mine, Northern Territory, AustraliaIn gold processing: Ores

…native form and are both exogenetic (formed at the Earth’s surface) and endogenetic (formed within the Earth). The best-known of the exogenetic ores is alluvial gold. Alluvial gold refers to gold found in riverbeds, streambeds, and floodplains. It is invariably elemental gold and usually made up of very fine particles.…

READ MORE

Geomorphology

Home

Philosophy & Religion

Humanities

Geomorphology

Alternate titles: physiography

BY The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica | View Edit History

Geomorphology, scientific discipline concerned with the description and classification of the Earth’s topographic features.

FAST FACTS

Facts & Related Content

Key People: Grove Karl Gilbert Ferdinand Paul Wilhelm, baron von Richthofen William Morris Davis Albrecht Penck Vasily Vasilyevich Dokuchayev

Related Topics: Geomorphic cycle Morphometric analysis Morphogenetic region Tetrahedral theory Climatic geomorphology

A brief treatment of geomorphology follows. For full treatment, see geology: Geomorphology.

faux amphibolite

READ MORE ON THIS TOPIC

geology: Geomorphology

Geomorphology is literally the study of the form or shape of the Earth, but it deals...

Much geomorphologic research has been devoted to the origin of landforms. Such studies focus on the forces that mold and alter the primary relief elements of the terrestrial surface. These forces include tectonic activity and surficial earth movements (e.g., landslides and rockfalls). They also involve weathering and the erosion and deposition of the resulting rock debris by wind, glacial ice, and streams. In recent years, increasing attention has been given to the effects of human action on the physical environment as well.

Many systems of classifying landforms have been devised since the late 19th century. Some systems describe and group topographic features primarily according to the processes that shaped or modified them. Others take additional factors into consideration (e.g., character of the surface rocks and climatic variations) and include the developmental stage of landforms as an aspect of their evolution over geologic time.

Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content.

Subscribe Now

Geomorphology is closely allied with a number of other scientific disciplines that are concerned with natural processes. Fluvial and coastal geomorphology rely heavily on fluid mechanics and sedimentology; studies of mass movement, weathering, wind action, and soils draw on the atmospheric sciences, soil physics, soil chemistry, and soil mechanics; research on certain landform types entails the principles and methods of geophysics and volcanology; and the study of human impact upon landforms relies on the disciplines of geography and human ecology.

Learn More in these related Britannica articles:

faux amphibolite

geology: Geomorphology

Geomorphology is literally the study of the form or shape of the Earth, but it deals principally with...…

camel; Pyramids of Giza

geography: Physical geography

…two main research communities within geomorphology: those who study contemporary processes and those...…

camel; Pyramids of Giza

geography: Physical geography and physical systems

…of this shift came in geomorphology, which was by far the largest component of physical geography. The...…

newsletter icon

HISTORY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Sign up here to see what happened On This Day, every day in your inbox!

Email address

Email address

By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Notice.