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Geomorphic Processes - Geography Notes

Geomorphological processes are natural mechanisms of erosion, weathering, and deposition that cause changes to the earth's surface and
landforms due to physical pressures and chemical reactions on the earth’s materials. This article will explain the concepts of geomorphic process
which is an integral part of the geography syllabus. Geomorphic process is an important concept for the UPSC exam.

Endogenic Movements

Geomorphic Process - Concept

The Geomorphic process is the result of factors such as endogenic and exogenic that generate physical stress and chemical reactions on the earth's substance,
as well as changes in the configuration of the earth's surface.
Diastrophism and volcanism are examples of endogenic processes, whereas weathering, mass wasting, erosion, and deposition are examples of exogenic
processes.
Exogenic materials in nature have the power to transfer earth material, which is why they are referred to as Geomorphic agents. When these elements are
mobile due to gradients, they can remove materials, transport them over slopes, and deposit them at a lower level.
These movements occur as a result of gradients, which always occur from higher to lower levels or from high to low-pressure zones.
Some of the geomorphic agents are Groundwater; Glaciers; Winds; Waves; Currents and Running water.
Gravitational stresses are just as significant as other geomorphic processes. Gravity is the force that keeps us in contact with the surface and activates the
movement of all surface material on Earth.
Without gravity and gradients, there is no movement, and thus no erosion, transportation, or deposition.

What are Geomorphic Agents?

Geomorphic agents are natural forces or entities that actively shape the Earth's surface through processes of erosion, transportation, and deposition.
These agents sculpt the landscape, giving rise to various landforms and are instrumental in the continual transformation and renewal of the Earth's topography.
Running water, groundwater, glaciers, wind, waves and currents, etc., are also examples of geomorphic agents.
Each geomorphic agent operates uniquely, influenced by factors like climate, topography, underlying geology, and vegetation.

Other Relevant Links

Endogenic Processes Exogenic Processes

Slow Movements (Diastrophism) Orogenic processes

Epeirogenic processes Sudden Movements

Denudational Processes Chemical Weathering

Physical Weathering Biological Weathering

Types of Geomorphic Process

Endogenic Process
The primary driving force behind endogenic geomorphic processes is energy emerging from within the ground.
This energy is primarily produced by radioactivity, rotational and tidal friction, and primordial heat from the earth's formation.
This energy from geothermal gradients and internal heat flow causes diastrophism and volcanism in the lithosphere.
The action of endogenic forces is not uniform due to changes in geothermal gradients and heat flow from within, crustal thickness and strength, and so the
tectonically controlled initial crustal surface is uneven.

Exogenic Process
Exogenic processes take their energy from the atmosphere, which is determined by the sun's ultimate energy as well as gradients caused by tectonic causes.
Because the earth's surface has varied climatic zones, the exogenic geomorphic processes differ from one another.
 Temperature and precipitation are two essential climatic elements that influence a variety of processes.
Denudation is a broad term that encompasses all exogenic geomorphic processes. The word 'denude' means to remove or reveal.
Denudation includes weathering, mass wasting/movements, erosion, and transportation.

Endogenic Movements and its Classification

Diastrophism and Sudden Movements are the two basic forms of endogenic movements.

Geomorphic process

Diastrophic Movements
Diastrophism refers to all processes that move, elevate, or deform the earth's crust due to diastrophic movements (deforming movements) such as folding,
faulting, warping (bending or twisting of a large area) and fracturing.
Diastrophic changes are slow and can last for thousands of years.
Diastrophic movements are further classified into epeirogenic and orogenic movements.

1) Orogenic Processes
Orogenic movements/ processes, which include mountain-building through extreme folding and influence long and narrow regions of the earth's crust, are
among them.
Orogenic or mountain-forming movements act tangentially to the earth's surface, as in plate tectonics. The Himalayan-Alpine orogeny is the best instance of this
case.
These processes are further classified into Tension and Compression.
Fissures are caused by tension i.e., when force is acting away from a point in two directions.
The Sierra Nevada (The USA) mountain range is the best example of a mountain that is formed by tension.
Folds appear as a result of compression i.e., when force is acting towards a point.
The Himalayas are the best example of a mountain that is formed by compression.

2) Epeirogenic Processes
Movements that form continents are known as epeirogenic or continent-forming movements. They are also known as radial movements because they act along
the radius of the earth.
They can move towards (subsidence) or away from (uplift) the center.
They create land upheavals or depressions with long-wavelength undulations (wavy surface) and little folding.
The present-day drainage divides between Limpopo and Zambezi rivers in southern Africa is a classic example of this type.
Epeirogenic movements are further classified into Downward and Upward.
Subsidence occurs when movement is in a downward direction.
It is uplifted from the center when it is away. Raised beaches, elevated wave-cut terraces, sea caves, and so on are examples of uplift.

Sudden Movements

The lithospheric plate boundaries are prone to sudden geomorphic movements.

Because of the pressure caused by the pushing and pulling of magma in the mantle, the plate boundaries are extremely unstable.
Earthquakes and volcanoes are the two best examples of sudden movements that cause significant deformation in a short span of time

Exogenic Forces and its Classification

The processes which take place on the Earth's surface and which generally reduce the relief are termed exogenic processes.
These processes also include weathering (Physical weathering, Chemical Weathering, Biological weathering) and the erosion, transport, and deposition of soil
and rocks.
The primary geomorphic agents driving exogenic processes are water, ice, and wind.

Weathering
Weathering refers to the process of wearing, breaking apart, and fragmenting the rock that forms the ground's surface and remains exposed to the elements.
The process is caused by weather influences such as rain action, temperature changes, and frost activity.

Erosion
 Soil erosion is the loosening and displacement of topsoil from the land caused by factors such as wind and water.

Transportation
Transporting eroded debris entails transporting material to different areas. In geology, deposition refers to the addition of eroded sediments, soil, and rocks to a
landform or land mass.
Soil compaction occurs when soil particles are squeezed together, reducing the amount of pore space between them.

Deposition
The erosional agents lose energy and speed on softer slopes, and the materials they carry settle. As a result, erosion leads to deposition.
Finer materials settle first, followed by coarser materials.
Erosional geomorphic forces include running water, wind, glaciers, waves, and groundwater.
They can also serve as depositional or aggravating agents. The deposits fill up the depressions.

*To read more about Exogenic Processes click this link Exogenic Processes

Significance of Geomorphic Processes

Landform Development: Geomorphic processes are responsible for the formation, alteration, and destruction of landforms. Mountains, valleys, plains, plateaus,
and other features are direct products of these processes.
Resource Availability: Many natural resources like soils, minerals, and groundwater reservoirs are directly linked with geomorphic activities. For example, river
valleys and floodplains are often fertile due to the deposition of nutrient-rich sediments, making them vital for agriculture.
Natural Hazard Prediction and Mitigation: Understanding geomorphic processes helps predict and mitigate natural hazards.
Climate Change Insights: Geomorphic processes, particularly sediment deposition, can provide clues about past climates. Analyzing layers of sediment can
provide a record of environmental conditions from different epochs.
Urban and Infrastructure Development: Knowledge of geomorphic processes is crucial for infrastructure development. It helps in determining suitable locations
for building roads, bridges, dams, and settlements, ensuring their longevity and safety.
Water Cycle Regulation: Geomorphic processes like erosion and deposition play a role in regulating the water cycle. For instance, the permeability of a landform
affects groundwater recharge.
Carbon Sequestration: Some geomorphic processes, especially those involving the formation and degradation of certain rock types, play a role in the carbon
cycle, influencing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Conclusion
At the core of geomorphology lie the geomorphic processes – the intricate interactions between internal and external Earth forces that craft our
planet's diverse landscapes. These processes, while natural, are significantly influenced by human activities.

Other Relevant Links

Geography Notes Physical Geography

Geomorphology Different Layers of the Earth

Distribution of Oceans and Continents Basins Minerals and Rocks

FAQs
Question: What are geomorphic processes? ➕

Question: What are the two types of geomorphic processes? ➕

Question: What are the four types of exogenic geomorphic processes? ➕

Question: What factors cause geomorphic processes? ➕

MCQs
Question: Which among the following continuously elevates or builds up parts of the earth’s surface?

(a) Exogenic forces

(b) Endogenic forces

(c) Gradation

(d) Degradation

Answer: (b) See the Explanation ➕

Question: Which of the below option(s) is/are true about exogenic geomorphic forces?

1. Exogenic geomorphic processes vary from region to region.

2. Besides the gravitational stress earth materials get subjected to molecular stresses

Select the correct answer from the following codes:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) See the Explanation ➕

Other Relevant Links

Indian Polity Notes Indian Economy Notes

Art and Culture Notes Governance Notes

Ancient India History Notes Medieval India History Notes

Modern India History Notes Geography Notes

Science And Technology Notes Environment And Ecology Notes

Post Independence Notes Society Notes

Internal Security Notes Ethics Notes

Disaster Management Notes World History

International Relations Social Justice Notes

CSAT Notes Government Scheme Notes

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