Geomorphology

For the scientific journal, see Geomorphology (journal).
Badlands incised into shale at the foot of the North Caineville Plateau, Utah, within the pass carved by the Fremont River and known as the Blue Gate. G. K. Gilbert studied the landscapes of this area in great detail, forming the observational foundation for many of his studies on geomorphology.[1]
Surface of Earth, showing higher elevations in red

Geomorphology (from Ancient Greek: γῆ, gê, 'earth'; μορφή, morphḗ, 'form'; and λόγος, lógos, 'study')[2] is the scientific study of the origin and evolution of topographic and bathymetric features generated by physical, chemical or biological processes operating at or near Earth's surface. 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.

  1. ^ Gilbert, Grove Karl, and Charles Butler Hunt, eds. Geology of the Henry Mountains, Utah, as recorded in the notebooks of GK Gilbert, 1875–76. Vol. 167. Geological Society of America, 1988.
  2. ^ Huggett, Richard John (2011). "What Is Geomorphology?". Fundamentals Of Geomorphology. Routledge Fundamentals of Physical Geography Series (3rd ed.). Routledge. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-203-86008-3.