Global Geomorphology

537 Pages·2013·54.55 MB·English

by  Michael A. Summerfield

Global Geomorphology
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First published 1991 by Pearson Education Limited
Published 2013 by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017, USA
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© Michael A. Summerfield 1991
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or
by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including
photocopYing and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission
in writing from the publishers.
Notices
Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and experience
broaden our understanding, changes in research methods, professional practices, or medical
treatment may become necessary.
Practitioners and researchers must always rely on their own experience and knowledge in
evaluating and using any information, methods, compounds, or experiments described herein. In
using such information or methods they should be mindful of their own safety and the safety of
others, including parties for whom they have a professional responsibility.
To the fullest extent of the law, neither the Publisher nor the authors, contributors, or editors,
assume any liability for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products
liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products,
instructions, or ideas contained in the material herein.
ISBN 13: 978-0-582-30156-6 (pbk)
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
Summerfield~ Michael A.
Global geomorphology
). Landforms
I. Title
551.41
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalog entry for this title is available from the Library of Congress.
Set in 10111.5 Times
To my parents
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Brief table of contents
Preface ' xv
AcknowLedgements xvii
Part I Introduction 1
1 Approaches to geomorphology 3
Part II Endogenic processes and landforms 31
2 Global morphology and tectonics 33
3 Landforms and tectonics of plate margins 57
4 Landforms and tectonics of plate interiors 85
5 Landforms associated with igneous activity 107
Part III Exogenic processes and landforms 127
6 Weathering and associated landforms 129
7 Slope processes and forms 163
8 Fluvial processes 191
9 Fluvial landforms 207
10 Aeolian processes and landforms 235
11 Glacial processes and landforms 261
12 Periglacial processes and landforms 293
13 Coastal processes and landforms 313
14 Climate, climatic change and landform 345
development
Part IV Endogenic-exogenic interactions 369
15 Rates of uplift and denudation 371
16 Tectonics and drainage development 405
17 Sea-level change 433
18 Long-term landscape develqpment 457
Part V Extraterrestrial landforms 481
19 Planetary geomorphology 483
Appendices 511
Index 525
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Detailed table of contents
Preface xv Part II Endogenic processes and landforms 31
Guide to the reader xvi Chapter 2 Global morphology and tectonics 33
Acknowledgemen,ts xvii 2.1 Global morphology 33
List ofreviewers xx 2.1.1 The geoid 33
Chapter heading plate captions xxi 2.1.2 Global hypsometry 34
2.1.3 Major morphological features 34
Part I Introduction 1 2.2 Earth structure 36
Chapter 1 Approaches to geomorphology 3 2.2.1 Seismic evidence 36
1.1 The science of landforms 3 2.2.2 Mantle, asthenosphere, crust and 36
1.2 The development of ideas 3 lithosphere
1.2.1 The age of Hutton and Lyell 4 2.2.3 Gravity anomalies 37
1.2.2 Developments in North America 5 2.2.4 Isostasy 38
1.2.3 The modem era 5 2.2.5 Crustal structure 39 .
1.2.4 Future directions 5 2.3 Development of ideas on global tectonics 40
1.3 Some key concepts 7 2.3.1 Continental drift 41
1.3.1 Endogenic and exogenic processes 7 2.3.2 Palaeomagnetic evidence 42
1.3.2 Geomorphic systems 8 2.3.3 Global seismicity 44
1.3.3 Magnitude and frequency 10 2.3.4 Sea-floor spreading 44
1.3.4 Equilibrium and evolution 11 2.4 Plate tectonics 46
1.3.5 Scale in geomorphology 12 2.4.1 Outline of the plate tectonics model 46
1.3.5.1 Temporal scale 12 . 2.4.2 Classification of plate boundaries 47
1.3.5.2 Spatial scale 12 2.4.3 Plate motion 48
1.3.5.3 Scale and causality 13 2.4.4 Mechanisms of plate movement 51
1.3.6 Explanation in geomorphology 16 Further reading 54
1.4 Methods of analysis 17 References 54
1.4.1 Direct observations 17
1.4.2 Space-time substitution 17 Chapter 3 Landforms and tectonics ofplate 57
1.4.3 Simulation 20 margins
1.5 Endogenic and exogenic factors 21 3.1 Convergent plate margins: general 57
1.5.1 Sources of energy 21 characteristics
1.5.1.1 Internal energy 21 3.1.1 Steady-state margins 57
1.5.1.2 Solar radiation 22 3.1.2 Collision margins 59
1.5.2 The hydrological cycle 22 3.2 Intra-oceanic island arcs 60
1.5.3 Climatic controls 23 3.2.1 General characteristics and formation 60
1.5.4 Human agency 24 3.2.2 . Morphological and structural elements 61
Further reading 27
References 28