Fundamentals of Geomorphology

Front Cover
Routledge, Mar 15, 2011 - Science - 536 pages

This extensively revised, restructured, and updated edition continues to present an engaging and comprehensive introduction to the subject, exploring the world’s landforms from a broad systems perspective. It covers the basics of Earth surface forms and processes, while reflecting on the latest developments in the field. Fundamentals of Geomorphology begins with a consideration of the nature of geomorphology, process and form, history, and geomorphic systems, and moves on to discuss:

  • structure: structural landforms associated with plate tectonics and those associated with volcanoes, impact craters, and folds, faults, and joints
  • process and form: landforms resulting from, or influenced by, the exogenic agencies of weathering, running water, flowing ice and meltwater, ground ice and frost, the wind, and the sea; landforms developed on limestone; and landscape evolution, a discussion of ancient landforms, including palaeosurfaces, stagnant landscape features, and evolutionary aspects of landscape change.

This third edition has been fully updated to include a clearer initial explanation of the nature of geomorphology, of land surface process and form, and of land-surface change over different timescales. The text has been restructured to incorporate information on geomorphic materials and processes at more suitable points in the book. Finally, historical geomorphology has been integrated throughout the text to reflect the importance of history in all aspects of geomorphology.

Fundamentals of Geomorphology provides a stimulating and innovative perspective on the key topics and debates within the field of geomorphology. Written in an accessible and lively manner, it includes guides to further reading, chapter summaries, and an extensive glossary of key terms. The book is also illustrated throughout with over 200 informative diagrams and attractive photographs, all in colour.

 

Contents

Series editors preface ix
What is geomorphology? 3
Introducing process and form 19
Introducing history 44
The geomorphic system 54
PART IISTRUCTURE 85
Volcanoes impact craters folds and faults 108
Weathering and associated landforms 137
Glacial and glaciofluvial landscapes 247
Periglacial landscapes 290
Aeolian landscapes 314
Coastal landscapes 345
Karst landscapes 389
longterm geomorphology 433
The geological timescale 461
Glossary 468

Hillslopes 164
Fluvial landscapes 187

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

About the author (2011)

Richard John Huggett is a Reader in Physical Geography at the University of Manchester.