The plate tectonics revolution in the earth sciences has provided a valuable new framework for understanding long-term landform development. This innovative text provides a comprehensive introduction to the subject of global geomorphology, with the emphasis placed on large-scale processes and phenomena. Integrating global tectonics into the study of landforms and incorporating planetary geomorphology as a major component the author discusses the impact of climatic change and the role of catastrophic events on landform genesis and includes a comprehensive study of surface geomorphic processes.

Large scale relief features of the earth are emphasized to reveal how they are related to the major segments of the earth's crusts, known as lithospheric plates.

Presents the state of current research on the inter-relationships between global tectonics and macroscale landscape development across a wide range of topics and study areas. The last 10 years have witnessed a remarkable growth in interest in the relationships between global tectonics and the Earth's maroscale topographic features. This new research emphasis has emerged from a range of practitioners within the earth sciences, including geophysicists concerned with what can be learnt about tectonic processes from their topographic effects, geologists interested in the factors controlling erosion and the supply of material to sedimentary basins, and geomorphologists wanting to understand the role of tectonics in landscape evolution. Various technical developments and new sources of data have also contributed to these developments, such as the construction of coupled tectonic surface process numerical models of large-scale landscape development, the creation of large-area, high resolution digital elevation models, and the derivation of long-term denudational records using methods such as thermochronology. This book presents an overview of innovative research in the area and provides directions for future research. Each chapter provides up-to-date surveys of key research questions, reports on important current work and highlights outstanding research issues. It will be invaluable to those across the earth science community who are interested in the relationships between tectonics and geography.

A statement from the world's leading geomorphologists on the state of, and potential changes to, the environment.

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.