Nature and Scope of Geomorphology

The term Geomorphology is taken from the three Greek World Geo-earth, Morphos – Shape
and logos-study of. Generally, it is define as “The science of land forms”. Although,
widespread use of the term Geomorphology has come about within the past few decades, it
appears that the term was used in its present sense by KEITH as long ago as 1894.
Geomorphology is simply defined as “The study of the configuration of the earth’s surface”.

Geomorphology is “The study of the physical features of the earth, and of the relationship
between those landforms and the geological structure beneath”. Thus, Geomorphology may be
defined as the study of form, development, interpretation and description of relief feature of
the earth. It deal chiefly with the origin and history of surface land forms which includes the
study of topographic features buried in the earth, the affinity between the landforms and the
underlying rocks.

Scope:-

Geomorphology tries to understand the form of land surface of the earth and its evolution in
relation to structure; exogenetic and endogenetic processes, and the factor of time. The most
important concept of Geomorphology is “The present is the key to the past, whereby
destruction leads to construction”. Thus, the scope of Geomorphology is discussed with the
following headings:

1) World Geomorphology: - Geomorphology is the study of the form of the earth and its
genesis covering from the smallest to the largest. Considering the whole earth as a unit, it
studies the distribution of land and sea by means of different theories like Continental drift,
Plate tectonic, Isostasy etc. It also studies how the crustal upheaval affected the morphological
elements of the earth surface taking mountain belts, deep sea troughs on the one hand, and flat
plateaux and abyssal plain on the other. Thus, it tries to study the world as a whole and attempt
to arrive conclusion to its overall study the visible landscape as a whole in order to understand
the surface morphology of the earth, whether it be above or below the sea.
2) Continental Geomorphology: - The Geomorphological study of the whole continent
as a unit is termed as ‘Continental Geomorphology’. It includes the broad structural and
morphological types found on the continent including the study of the orogenic belt, basins,
horst and valleys. To understand to basic nature, it is necessary to consider both the structural
or endogenetic forces as well as the exogenetic processes. Thus, in continental
Geomorphology, we study the relationship between the internal forces and the surface form
such as rift valley, shield area, orogenic belts etc.

3) Ocean floor Geomorphology:- Ocean floor Geomorphology has received much

attention in the last two decades. It studies how the Oceanic form gives evidences on internal

1
forces and external processes in the Ocean like ridges, sea-mount, guyots and Sub-marine
canyons.
4) Smaller area Diamension Geomorphology:- Geomorphology also studies the
landscape of smaller area diamension. It analyse the Geomorphologic works to understand the
genesis of the present landscape by studying the present characters. There are two major types
of studies. The development of Drainage pattern and the stage of denudation chronology.
5) Processes: - The surface of the earth consists of various forms. Geomorphology
consider those forms and tried to explain and interpret them in respect of their origin, past
evolution, present stage and future. Landforms are mostly evolutionary, but sometimes they
are cataclysms or formed instantaneously. The later may be due to volcanic or faulting or
earthquake or landslide. The science of Geomorphology has its importance in the field of soil
science, Engineering Geology, agriculture resources, Communication, trade, minerals
exploitation etc.