Geomorphology

1. Introduction 

Geomorphology is a study of present land formations, their types, description, character, origin, development, connection of beneath the earth systems and geologic changes that recorded by earth surface features. It also concentrates on earth surface pattern that we see around us. Eg: River meander, head land and bays, etc...

It is a scientific study of land formation. 

It is a science of concern on earth surface formation and its process. There are controlling factors to shape the earth through these processes. For example, tectonics, geology, time, climate. In addition, this study includes atmospheric, hydrological, lithosphere and biosphere process which has inter-related within them and called as geomorphology systems. If we examine the influence of running water on earth surface is dominated by hydrological activities. It contains three important parts. They are (i) movement of energy, (ii) process of weathering, (iii) erosion.

2. Land forms

We can analyses the land forms basically some components.

(i)      Structure – this is important in land formation. For example, is it contains parent materials, what type, what are the physical chemical characteristics, etc….

(ii)        Process – It’s a combine of land formation forces. Different types of forces are activating. Generally geologic, hydrologic, atmospheric, biotic functions are design the forms on lithosphere.

(iii)   Slope – this is the basic feature to landscape formation. Slopes gradient and length are giving significance data’s for description and analyses about landscape.

(iv)      Drainage – It indicated movement of water on surface or below the soil and bedrock. Movement of water on surface is a visible process. For example, river drainage systems. 

3. Internal and external geomorphic process

Internal processes (endogenetic) connected with earth inner process. It is a large scale energetic and non-predict forces which haven’t surface or atmospheric influence. These are result of plate tectonics. It includes vertical displacement and horizontal displacement.  

External processes (exogenetic) are well understand and predictable. These are activated at atmospheric basement and obtained their energy from surface of lithosphere, atmosphere or ocean. It includes weathering, erosion, transport and deposition. These processes are influenced by topographic features. 

4. Geomorphological Equilibrium

Geomorphological equilibrium defined by two distinct methods. They are (i) Invariance, (ii) adjustment.

Invariance occurs due to land forms or earth surface processes are constant or without changes. Example is vertical erosion of river basement. Land forms or landscapes are existed when they take enough time to order their feature according to environmental barrier. Such as climate, tectonic, sea level changes. For example desert landscapes features are reflect of dry climatic condition. 

This geomorphological equilibrium concept firstly applied by William Morris David in his land forms evolution cycle. He described that land scape is combined of structure, erosion and stage. Landscapes are studied by according to these three viewpoints. 

5. Geomorphology and other earth and environmental sciences

 

 References :

(     (1)  Howard E Brown, Victor E monnett, J. Willis Stovall (1958); Introduction to Geology; Ginn  and Company; USA

(       (2)  Tom L. McKnight (1990): Physical Geography - A Landscape Appreciation: Prentice Hall: USA.

(       (3) http://science.jrank.org/pages/47645/geomorphological-equilibrium.html

        (4)  http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Geomorphology