Geomorphology

The word "Geomorphology" is derived from the Greek words γη, ge, "earth"; μορφή, morfé, "form"; and λόγος, logos, "knowledge". A simple defintion is "The form of the earth, the general configuration of its surface, and the changes that take place in the evolution of land forms. Put another way, "Geomorphology takes into account the landforms and geological history of an area, the processes that have shaped the landscape, and the time period over which these processes occur. In other words, geomorphology can be used to explain the complex evolution of the landscape as we see it today."

Geomorphologists study the processes of weathering and erosion, sediment transport and deposition, the characterisation of landforms and the materials making up their composition.

Fluvial geomorphology, for example, studies how human use impacts natural settings in a watershed and determines the shape of river channels. Fluvial geomorphology attempts to predict what physical changes will occur to a water channel in response to alterations in watershed conditions; and how changes will impact human infrastructure and fish habitat.

Interdisciplinary Links in Citizendium

• Earth science
• Stage (geology)
• Age (geology)
• Geologic ages of earth history
• Chronostratigraphy
• Geochronology
• Geochronometry
• Hydrology
• Biostratigraphy
• Palynology
• Sedimentary geology