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Spine 25mm Edited by David S. G. Thomas Thomas The DicTionary Physical of The DicTionary o f GeoGraPhy P h Physical y s iTh of c e F O U R T H E D I T I O N a D lic T Gi GeoGraPhy o This fully revised comprehensive fourth edition covers the whole field of physical en oa geography, including climate and atmosphere, geomorphology, biogeography, hydrology, Gr y oceans, Quaternary, environmental change, soils, remote sensing and GIS. This new edition r a reflects developments in the discipline during the last decade, with the expert advisory P group providing an international perspective on the discipline of physical geography. h y F O U R T H E D I T I O N Over 2000 entries that are self-contained or cross-referenced include 200 that are new to this edition, over 400 that are rewritten and updated, and new supporting references and additional recommended reading in many others. Entries removed from the last Edited by David S. G. Thomas edition are available in the online resource. This volume is the essential reference point for students of physical geography and related environmental disciplines, lecturers and International Advisory Panel interested individuals alike. FOURTH David Dunkerley EDITION Giles Foody David Thomas is Professor of Geography at the University of Oxford, a Fellow of Hertford College, and is Honorary Professor at the Universities of Cape Town and Witwatersrand in Andrew Goudie South Africa. He is a geomorphologist who works in contemporary as well as Quaternary contexts, especially in drylands and deserts. He has authored almost 200 papers in Michael Meadows refereed international journals and other volumes, and has authored or edited 10 books. David Montgomery Sharon Nicholson A companion website is available at: Tom Spencer www.wiley.com/go/thomas/physicalgeography www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell Also available as an e-book Filename: THOMAS_Physical Geography 4e_9781118782347_183602 • Size - 170 X 244mm (PBK) T H E D I C T I O N A R Y O F Physical Geography THE DICTIONARY OF Physical Geography Fourth Edition Edited by David S.G. Thomas International Advisory Panel David Dunkerley (Australia) Giles Foody (UK) Andrew Goudie (UK) Michael Meadows (South Africa) David Montgomery (USA) Sharon Nicholson (USA) Tom Spencer (UK) This edition first published 2016  2016 by John Wiley & Sons Ltd First published 1985 by Blackwell Publishers Ltd; Second edition published 1994 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Third edition published 2000 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd Registered office: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK Editorial offices: 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2DQ, UK The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774, USA For details of our global editorial offices, for customer services and for information about how to apply for permission to reuse the copyright material in this book please see our website at www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell. The right of the author to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the publisher and author(s) have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services and neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for damages arising herefrom. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Thomas, David S. G. Title: The dictionary of physical geography / edited by David S.G. Thomas. Description: Fourth Edition. | Hoboken, NJ : John Wiley & Sons Inc., [2016] | Includes index. Identifiers: LCCN 2015031859| ISBN 9781118782347 (Cloth) | ISBN 9781118782330 (Paper) Subjects: LCSH: Physical geography–Dictionaries. Classification: LCC GB10 .D53 2016 | DDC 910/.0203–dc23 LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015031859 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books. Cover image: Erg Chebbi dunes in Morocco, Sahara desert  Getty Images Set in 9/10pt PlantinStd by Thomson Digital, Noida, India 1 2016 Contents List of Contributors vi Preface to the Fourth Edition x Preface to the First Edition xi Preface to the Second Edition xii Preface to the Third Edition xiii Acknowledgments xiv About the Companion Website xvi Introduction xvii THE DICTIONARY OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 1 Index 581 v Contributors NOTE: This list of contributors, and their affiliations, was updated during production of the fourth edition. Some contributions were made for the first and subsequent editions, and contributor affiliations may have since changed. These have been updated where possible, but in some cases the affiliation at the time of contribution may remain. AB Alison Banwell BAK Barbara A Kennedy University of Cambridge Formerly of University of Oxford. Deceased. AD Angus Duncan University of Bedfordshire BGT Bruce G Thom University of Sydney AHP Allen H Perry Formerly of Swansea University BJS Bernie J Smith Formerly of Queen’s University AH-S Ann Henderson-Sellers of Belfast. Deceased Emeritus, MacQuarie University BWA Bruce W Atkinson ALH A Louise Heathwaite Emeritus, Queen Mary University of Lancaster University of London AMG Angela M Gurnell CAMK Cuchlain A M King Queen Mary University of Formerly University of London Nottingham AP Adrian Parker CDC Chris D Clark Oxford Brookes University University of Sheffield ARH Alan R Hill CTA Clive T Agnew Formerly of York University, University of Manchester Ontario DB Denys Brunsden ASG Andrew S Goudie Emeritus, King’s College Emeritus, University of Oxford London AW Andrew Watson DES David Sugden DAI, Washington, DC Emeritus, University of Edinburgh AWE Andrew W Ellis Virginia Tech DEW Des E Walling Emeritus, University of Exeter vi CONTRIBUTORS DW David Watts HVL Harry van Loon Formerly of University of Hull. Formerly of National Center for Deceased. Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO DGT David G Tout Formerly of University of IAC Ian A Campbell Manchester Formerly of University of Alberta. Deceased. DH David Higgitt University of Singapore IB Ian Burton Emeritus, Meteorological DJN David J Nash Service of Canada University of Brighton IE Ian Evans DJS Douglas Sherman University of Durham Texas A&M University IGS Ian G Simmons DLD David L Dunkerley University of Durham Monash University DSB Doreen S Boyd DRM David R Montgomery University of Nottingham University of Washington JAD John A Dearing DSGT David S G Thomas University of Southampton University of Oxford JAM John A Matthews DTP David T Pugh Formerly of Swansea University IOS Deacon Laboratory, Godalming JAS John Shaffer Arizona State University ECB Eric C Barrett Formerly of University of Bristol JEA John E Allen Formerly Queen Mary GCN Gerald C Nanson University of London University of Wollongong JEL Julie E Laity GFSW Giles F S Wiggs California State University University of Oxford JET John E Thornes GMF Giles M Foody Emeritus, University of University of Nottingham Birmingham HAV Heather Viles JGL John G Lockwood University of Oxford Formerly of University of Leeds HMF Hugh M French Emeritus, University of Ottawa vii CONTRIBUTORS JL John Lewin MDB Mark D Bateman Emeritus, Aberystwyth University of Sheffield University MEM Michael E Meadows JLB Jim Best University of Cape Town University of Leeds MFT Michael F Thomas JM Judith Maizels Emeritus, University of Stirling Formerly University of Aberdeen MHU Michael H Unsworth Emeritus, Oregon State JO Julian Orford University Queen’s University of Belfast MJK Mike J Kirkby JSAG John S A Green University of Leeds Formerly University of East Anglia MJS Michael J Selby Emeritus, University of Waikato KB Katherine Brown University of Tasmania MLH Mark L Hidebrandt Arizona State University KEB Keith Barber University of Southampton NSA Neil S Arnold University of Cambridge KEI Keith Idso Arizona State University NJM Nick J Middleton University of Oxford KJG Kenneth J Gregory University of Southampton NJS Nancy J Selover Arizona State University KJW Keith J Weston University of Edinburgh PAB Peter A Bull University of Oxford KS Keith Smith Emeritus, University of Stirling PAF Peter A Furley Emeritus, University of KSR Keith S Richards Edinburgh Emeritus, University of Cambridge PAS Philip A Stott Formerly School of Oriental and LN Lynn Newman African Studies Glendale Community College, Arizona PHA Patrick H Armstrong University of Western Australia MAS Mike A Summerfield University of Edinburgh PJC Paul J Curran City University, London viii