KOCHEL RITTER MILLER

INTRODUCTION

What is Process Geomorphology?

I. Overview
A. Geomorphology (def): the study of
landforms.
I. Overview
A. Geomorphology (def): the study of
landforms.

Descriptive → Quantitative
I. Overview
A. Geomorphology (def): the study of
landforms.

Descriptive → Quantitative
“an interdisciplinary science”

“the trade of geomorphology”

I. Overview
B. Process Geomorphology:
I. Overview
B. Process Geomorphology:
1. concept of process….
I. Overview
B. Process Geomorphology:
1. concept of process….the action
involved when a force induces a change
(either chemical or physical) in the
materials or forms at the earth’s surface.
I. Overview
B. Process Geomorphology:
1. concept of process….the action
involved when a force induces a change
(either chemical or physical) in the
materials or forms at the earth’s surface.
2. Loose definition: ”The study of
landforms and the methods by which the
landforms were(are) created”
II. The Basics of Process Geomorphology
II. The Basics of Process Geomorphology

A. A delicate balance or equilibrium exists

between landforms and process.
1. Geomorphic Systems
II. The Basics of Process Geomorphology

A. A delicate balance or equilibrium exists

between landforms and process.
1. Geomorphic Systems
The balance between form and process is best
demonstrated by considering both factors as
systems or component of systems. A system is a
collection of related components
II. The Basics of Process Geomorphology

A. A delicate balance or equilibrium exists

between landforms and process.
1. Equilibrium?????!!!!
1. Equilibrium?????!!!!
Implies that landforms and processes
exist in some type of unchanging
condition (a balance of forces)
 II. The Basics of Process Geomorphology
A. A delicate balance or equilibrium exists
between landforms and process.
1. G.K. Gilbert – “dynamic
adjustment”

Landforms reflect the interaction between the dominant

process and the local geology
II. The Basics of Process Geomorphology
A. A delicate balance or equilibrium exists
between landforms and process.
2. William Morris Davis
“cycles of erosion”
II. The Basics of Process Geomorphology
A. A delicate balance or equilibrium exists
between landforms and process.
3. John Hack
“dynamic equilibrium”
II. The Basics of Process Geomorphology

A. A delicate balance or equilibrium exists

between landforms and process.
2. Defining Equilibrium and Time
Scales
Schumm (1977)
Valley Point Farm
Ivy, VA
 Fig. 1.3
high

low
Time (years)

From Schumm (1977)

 Fig. 1.3
high

low
Time (years)

From Schumm (1977)

 Fig. 1.3
high

low

From Schumm (1977)

II. The Basics of Process Geomorphology
B. The perceived balance between process
and form is created by the interaction
of energy, force, and resistance.
II. The Basics of Process Geomorphology
B. The perceived balance between process
and form is created by the interaction
of energy, force, and resistance.
Process: (def) The action involved when a
force induces a change in the materials or
landforms at the Earth’s surface. OR
II. The Basics of Process Geomorphology
B. The perceived balance between process
and form is created by the interaction
of energy, force, and resistance.
Process: (def) The action involved when a
force induces a change in the materials or
landforms at the Earth’s surface. OR
The method by which one thing may be
produced from something else.
Process are either:
Exogenic: action at or near earth’s
surface
(e.g., wind, water, ice, gravity)

Endogenic: energy initiating the action

is inside the earth
Force:
Ingredients:
Force:
Ingredients:
Force F = m * a
weight = mass * gravity

A measure of force is weight (pounds, newtons)

Force:
Ingredients:
Force F = m a
weight = mass * gravity

A measure of force is weight (pounds, newtons)

Force ~ energy, where energy is defined as the

capacity to do work.
Force:
Ingredients:
*Force F=ma
weight = mass * gravity

A measure of force is weight (pounds, newtons)

Force ~ energy, where energy is defined as the

capacity to do work.

Energy (or work) = force*distance = mass *gravity *ht

F*d m* a *ht
A measurement of energy is Joules
Modification of landforms results from the application
of energy.
Modification of landforms results from the application
of energy.
Landforms represent the interaction between driving forces and
resistance.

Driving Forces:
Resistance Forces:
 Modification of landforms results from the application
of energy.

Landforms represent the interaction between driving forces and

resistance.

Driving Forces: Climate, Gravity, Forces generated inside the earth

Resistance: Provided by the geologic framework

The link between these two components here is PROCESS

II. The Basics of Process Geomorphology
C. Changes in the balance between driving
and resisting forces may destabilize the
system. The system may cross a
threshold, and may initiate a new
pattern of equilibrium.
II. The Basics of Process Geomorphology
C. Changes in the balance between driving
and resisting forces may destabilize the
system. The system may cross a
threshold, and may initiate a new pattern
of equilibrium.
1. Thresholds
Changes in the geomorphic system when the
limits of equilibrium are exceeded
II. The Basics of Process Geomorphology
C. Changes in the balance between driving
and resisting forces may destabilize the
system. The system may cross a
threshold, and may initiate a new pattern
of equilibrium.
1. Thresholds
Changes in the geomorphic system when the
limits of equilibrium are exceeded
‘BEFORE’ ‘AFTER’
1. Thresholds
Changes in the geomorphic system when the
limits of equilibrium are exceeded
a. Extrinsic Thresholds: caused by external
controlling factors
b. Intrinsic Threshold: usually caused by
internal factors.
Geomorphic Thresholds: refers to the
stability of a landform itself.
Geomorphic Thresholds: refers to the
stability of a landform itself.

“Has a threshold been crossed?”

II. The Basics of Process Geomorphology
C. Changes in the balance between driving
and resisting forces may destabilize the
system. The system may cross a
threshold, and may initiate a new pattern
of equilibrium.
2. Complex Response (concept)
a. " landforms behave differently spatially at
the same time from a disturbance."
II. The Basics of Process Geomorphology
D. Various processes are linked in such a
way that the effect of one process may
initiate the action of another.

Process linkage: “Domino Effect”

II. The Basics of Process Geomorphology
E. Geomorphic analysis can be made over a
variety of time intervals. The interval of
time chosen will have a bearing on
conclusions made regarding the
relationship between process and form