Understanding Geomorphology

The word “Geomorphology” derives from the Greek word geo(Earth), morph(shape), and logos(thesis). It is the scientific study of land surfaces and landforms. The different climatic

conditions of the Earth produce different types of landforms. Landforms such as deserts are different from the landforms of mountains. The Geomorphologist studies the different features of these landforms. It provides knowledge about the formation of various structures and formations in landscapes.

Geomorphology and its history and origin

The term is derived from the Greek word Geo (Earth), Morph(shape) and Logos(thesis) were coined in the year 1893 by the American geologist William Morris Davis. He is named as Father of Geomorphology. He was the first to propose the first geomorphic models between 1884 and 1899. His theories are inspired by uniformitarianism and help understand the development of various forms of landforms. His theories were important in observing the field of geomorphology. But today, his models and theories are not usually used. 

Since several alternative attempts have been made to explain landforms and fundamental concepts of Geomorphology. The term refers to the landforms such as continents, plains, and plateaus. It is the scientific study of topographic changes by physical, chemical, or biological changes on the Earth’s surface.

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The scope and nature of studying Geomorphology

Nature

The Earth is changing every day, and this change has an important impact on the living components of the Earth. Geomorphology studies the changes in the land surfaces due

to various activities. It helps us to understand the land surfaces. It studies the different geomorphic processes. The nature of the concept is concerned with landforms’ structure, process, and evolution. 

The structure is an interconnected element. Internal forces like plate tectonics and volcanic activities determine it. The Geomorphic agents act as a mobile medium for running water, wind, etc., removing transports and depositing earth materials. Likewise, the movement of the Earth occurs due to gradients from high pressure to low pressure regions. The elements of nature turn portable following the presence of gradients; they eliminate the materials, shift them over slopes, and store the materials into lower levels.

Processes like Endogenic or exogenic forces are mostly responsible for processes. This process helps to shape a landscape.

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The geomorphic process is divided into two parts-

The Earth’s surface continuously undergoes internal forces and external forces within the Earth. In addition, the internal forces are called Endogenic forces, and the external forces are called Exogenic forces.

• Endogenic forces – The Endogenic forces are generated by radioactivity, Primordial heat of the Earth, Earthquakes, rotational and tidal frictions
• External forces originate within the Earth’s surface like running water, wind, groundwater, etc. Exogenic forces derive their energy from the atmosphere and help reduce the Earth’s relief. Also, the Exogenic process differs from region to region due to climatic conditions.

Scope

There are many aspects of studying the Geomorphological concept, but mainly there are three-

• It is the study of the relationship between landforms and the underlying rocks.
• The study of landforms and their evolution.
• Lastly, it is the study of the process of erosion that gives rise to landforms.

Consequently, the subject matter of the geomorphological concept incorporates process, structure and systematic study and evolution of landforms. 

The structure is a store of interrelated elements in a system or material object. It determines the study of geomaterials (deposition of rock beds, lithology and composition of rocks). 

The process relates to the exogenic forces that contribute to the structure of the landscape, often known as the denudational process.

Systematic study and evolution of landforms deal with surface interaction when it includes the length of time of the operation process. 

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The main categories of Geomorphological concept-

The main categories of the Geomorphological concept are divided into many parts. Likewise, its study also divides into various processes. And most of the processes are interconnected. There are different types of Geomorphological processes.

• Fluvial geomorphological processes are related to rivers. The river shapes the landscapes. The path rivers take depends on the topology of the area and the underlying geology where it moves. The river carves its landscape; it also carries the sediment it erodes when it flows.
• Another important agent of landscape change is glaciers. Glaciers are supplanting as its movement forces the rocks. As they liquefy, the debris drops, obtaining attributes like moraines and eskers.
• The next process is Weathering. It is an erosional process that involves the mechanical wearing down of rocks by plant roots. It can result in rock falls.

Conclusion

Thus, Geomorphology is the science of landforms that helps us understand their origin, evolution, and distribution across the other physical landscape. It provides important information about the formation of the various structures and features in landscapes.