Fundamentals of Geomorphology presents an engaging and comprehensive introduction to geomorphology, exploring the world's landforms from a systems perspective, with an emphasis on change. The rich variety of landforms found on the Earth's surface are described and discussed, paying attention to the roles of geomorphic processes and historical events in understanding their development and to how particular processes affect humans.
Beginning with a consideration of the nature of geomorphology and the quest of process and historical geomorphologists (both of whose views are presented in the book), basic ideas on chaos and complexity in the landscape, the geomorphic system, weathering, erosion and deposition, the author moves on to look at:
*Structure: landforms resulting from, or influenced by the endogenic agencies of tectonic and volcanic processes, geological structures and rock types
*Process and Form: landforms fashioned by the exogenic ice and frost, the wind and the sea
*History: Earth surface history, giving a discussion of the origin of old plains; relict, exhumed and stagnant landscape features; cycles of landscape change, and the evolutionary aspects of landscape change.
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 extensive glossary of key terms. The book is also illustrated throughout with over 200 informative diagrams and attractive photographs, including a colour plate section.