6/19/2011

Introduction
Introduction:
Basic concepts of geomorphology Geomorphology 
(Greek: γῆ, ge, "earth"; μορφή, morfé, "form"; λόγος, logos, "study")

‐ study of landforms and the processes that shape them

• to understand why landscapes look the way they do
• to understand landform history and dynamics
p g g
• to predict future changes through a combination of field observation, 
physical experiment, and numerical modeling

‐ mechanics of modern processes and the historic influence of geologic 
time

Palawan, Philippines
N. Ramos | Geology 122 Principles of Geomorphology Basic concepts

Introduction Introduction

Geomorphology  Peneplain concept 
(Greek: γῆ, ge, "earth"; μορφή, morfé, "form"; λόγος, logos, "study")
‐ ‘geographical cycle’
Historical Geomorphology
Study of landform evolution or changes in landforms over medium and  ‐ William Morris Davis and             
long timescales, usually timescales well beyond the span of an individual  Walther Penck
human’s experience

Tends to focus around histories or trajectories of landscape evolution and 
adopts a sequential, chronological view

Holmes, 1965; Huggett, 2011

N. Ramos | Geology 122 Principles of Geomorphology Basic concepts N. Ramos | Geology 122 Principles of Geomorphology Basic concepts

Introduction Introduction

Geomorphology  Geomorphology 
(Greek: γῆ, ge, "earth"; μορφή, morfé, "form"; λόγος, logos, "study") (Greek: γῆ, ge, "earth"; μορφή, morfé, "form"; λόγος, logos, "study")

Historical Geomorphology
Study of landform evolution or changes in landforms over medium and  Applied Geomorphology
long timescales, usually timescales well beyond the span of an individual 
human’s experience
Tectonic Geomorphology
Tends to focus around histories or trajectories of landscape evolution and 
adopts a sequential, chronological view Submarine Geomorphology
Process Geomorphology
Study of processes responsible for landform development
Planetary Geomorphology

Tends to focus around the mechanics of geomorphic processes and how  Climatic Geomorphology
geomorphic systems respond to disturbances

N. Ramos | Geology 122 Principles of Geomorphology Basic concepts N. Ramos | Geology 122 Principles of Geomorphology Basic concepts

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Geomorphic processes and evolution of landforms Geomorphic processes and evolution of landforms

‐ distinctive landscape and characteristic landforms from 
which the origin of the forms can be identified

‐ landforms evolve as a result of continuous changes in 
processes and rates as time goes on

world seismicity map taken from the Tectonics Observatory website

www.nature.nps.gov/GEOLOGY/usgsnps/animate/A58.gif

N. Ramos | Geology 122 Principles of Geomorphology Basic concepts N. Ramos | Geology 122 Principles of Geomorphology Basic concepts

Volcanic processes and landforms Tectonic processes and landforms: Uplift
M8.2 1703 Genroku

M7.9 1923 Taisho

Shishikura, 2003

Mw9.2 2004 Sumatra - Andaman Mw8.7 2005 Nias – Simeulue

Albay, Philippines
aroundthephilippines.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Mayon_Volcano_Eruption_2.jpg
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Mt.Mayon_tam3rd.jpg

N. Ramos | Geology 122 Principles of Geomorphology Basic concepts Photos: Tectonics Observatory , California Institute of Technology

Tectonic processes and landforms: Displacement Hillslopes and mass wasting

Nueva Ecija, Philippines

kagi.coe21.kyoto-u.ac.jp/images/t_images/tidbit17_2.gif

Mindanao Island, Philippines Southern Leyte, Philippines

Tsutsumi and Perez, 2010 www.defense.gov/home/features/Leyte/landslide/images/hi-res/060219-N-5067K-109.jpg

N. Ramos | Geology 122 Principles of Geomorphology Basic concepts N. Ramos | Geology 122 Principles of Geomorphology Basic concepts

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Fluvial processes and landforms Karst topography

Kalinga, Philippines Bohol, Philippines

365greatpinoystuff.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/chico-river-aerial.jpg www.travel-visit-places.com/wp-content/uploads/image/Chocolate%20Hills/natural-wonder-chocolate-hills.jpg

N. Ramos | Geology 122 Principles of Geomorphology Basic concepts N. Ramos | Geology 122 Principles of Geomorphology Basic concepts

Coastal processes and landforms Aeolian processes and landforms

Ilocos Norte, Philippines

Ilocos Norte, Philippines v1.cache2.c.bigcache.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/41984288.jpg?redirect_counter=1

N. Ramos | Geology 122 Principles of Geomorphology Basic concepts N. Ramos | Geology 122 Principles of Geomorphology Basic concepts

Glacial/periglacial
Glacial/ periglacial processes and landforms Quaternary climate and sea level change
Huon Peninsula, PNG Muroto Peninsula, JP

Photo:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, USA

Mahia Peninsula, NZ

Lapland, Sweden
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/ec/Circosabisko.jpg

N. Ramos | Geology 122 Principles of Geomorphology Basic concepts Photo: Ministry for Culture and Heritage, NZ

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Geomorphic systems: Equilibrium systems Geomorphic systems: Non­
Geomorphic systems: Non­equilibrium systems
‐ Henry Louis Le Chatelier; Grove Karl Gilbert
‐ positive feedback systems
‐ negative feedback systems
‐ occurs when a change in the input variable causes 
‐ a system in which a delicate balance exists between opposing forces such  magnification of  change in the direction of the initial 
that any change in the variables that control the system produces a change 
adjustment
in one or more of the other variables to generate a new balance

e g graded stream
e.g. graded stream e.g. meanders and formation of oxbow lakes
e.g. meanders and formation of oxbow lakes

Steady State ‐ carry the source of their own destruction and eventually 
Conditions change very little with time accelerate to self‐elimination
Declining
Rate of change declines with time to successively lower rates

Dynamic
Small variations about a changing average condition
N. Ramos | Geology 122 Principles of Geomorphology Basic concepts N. Ramos | Geology 122 Principles of Geomorphology Basic concepts

Geomorphology ‘rules’/guidelines

Uniformity of law
Natural laws are invariant in time and space

Principle of simplicity/Uniformity of process
No extra, fanciful, or unknown causes should be invoked if available 
processes will do the job

Gradualism, uniformitarianism and catastrophism p
• rates of surface processes may have varied in the past
• processes may have existed in the past but may not be operative 
at present

Steady –stateism and directionalism
Constant state of the earth’s surface

N. Ramos | Geology 122 Principles of Geomorphology Basic concepts