Geomorphic Process and Earth Movements

Landforms and landform progression are studied in geomorphology. Geomorphology is the study of landforms, processes, and factors that act on the earth’s surface, resulting in landform development and change.

Given that the Earth’s surface is unevenly dispersed with a variety of landforms such as mountains, ravines, plateaus, hills, plains, cliffs, and so on, the question of why the Earth’s surface is so uneven emerges. What causes the earth’s surface to change? Geomorphic Processes is the answer to all of the aforementioned questions.

Types of Forces

We’re always talking about the internal and external forces that act on the earth’s surface. Let’s take a look at these forces in more detail.

External forces are referred to as exogenic forces, while internal forces are referred to as endogenic forces. For the sake of simplicity, exogenic forces are those that act on the earth’s surface, while endogenic forces work within the earth’s surface. Consider the following geomorphic forces:

Exogenic Forces

Exogenic forces are those that gain power from the earth’s surface or originate within the atmosphere. The majority of exogenic troops are land-wearing forces.

Wind, water, waves, and other exogenic forces are examples.

Weathering, erosion, depressions, wear (degradation), filling up/elevations (aggradation) of basins, and depositing are examples of exogenic forces.

Endogenic Forces

The endogenic forces are essentially the forces that develop the land. Endogenic geomorphic processes are driven by energy originating within the earth (heat from the planet’s core, radioactivity, rotational and tidal friction, and so on). Endogenic forces play an important part in the formation of the earth’s crust.

Continent-building forces, volcanism, mountain-building forces, earthquakes, and so on are examples.

Exogenic processes fail to balance out the relief alterations of the earth’s surface because endogenic forces continuously elevate/advance areas of the earth’s surface.

Geomorphic Processes

Geomorphic processes are defined as the ongoing exposure of the earth’s surface to external forces originating in the earth’s atmosphere as well as internal forces of varying strengths from within the earth. The differences in internal and external forces that built up the crust are responsible for the changes in the crust’s outer surface.

These internal and external pressures (endogenic and exogenic forces, respectively) induce stress and chemical action on earth materials, resulting in geomorphic processes (changes in the configuration of the earth’s surface). All of these changes occur as a result of forces that operate continuously both within and outside the earth’s surface.

Diastrophism

Diastrophism refers to any process that elevates, moves, or builds up elements of the earth’s crust. The deformation of the Earth’s crust is the source of this doomsday scenario. The diastrophic processes are slow and can take thousands of years to complete.

Diastrophic processes are further divided into the following categories:

Mountain building, bending, and faulting are examples of orogenic processes. Mountains are built by folding and altering long and thin strips of the earth’s crust, which is a complex process.

Epeirogenic processes (continent formation, plateau formation, subsidence, upliftment) — This process involves massive uplift or warping of the earth’s crust.

Sudden motions, on the other hand, cause earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that last only a few minutes.

Earthquakes and Volcanism

Earthquakes occur when excess stored tension inside the Rocks in the earth’s interior is released in the form of seismic waves through weak zones over the earth’s surface owing to faulting, folding, or other physical changes.

The migration of molten rock or magma towards the earth’s surface through narrow volcanic vents or holes is referred to as volcanism.

Weathering

Weathering is the effect of climate and weather elements on earth material, or it can also be defined as the mechanical disintegration and chemical breakdown of rocks caused by some weather and climate elements.

Mass Movements

Under the immediate influence of gravity, these movements cause the bulk of rock debris to be transferred down the slope. Slow and fast motions are the two types of mass movements.

Erosion and Deposition

Erosion is defined as the possession and transportation of rock material by geomorphic processes such as flowing water, waves, and the wind, among others. Deposition, on the other hand, is a result of erosion.

Conclusion

Geomorphology is important in the processes that determine how soils are distributed across the landscape. Pedologic processes, on the other hand, might be regarded an important aspect of landscape change.