Table Of ContentFundamentals of
Geomorphology
This extensively revised, restructured, and updated edition continues to present an engaging and
comprehensive introduction to the subject, exploring the world’s landforms from a broad systems
perspective. It covers the basics of Earth surface forms and processes, while reflecting on the latest
developments in the field. Fundamentals of Geomorphology begins with a consideration of the nature
of geomorphology, process and form, history, and geomorphic systems, and moves on to discuss:
(cid:129) Structure: structural landforms associated with plate tectonics and those associated with volcanoes,
impact craters, and folds, faults, and joints.
(cid:129) Process and form: landforms resulting from, or influenced by, the exogenic agencies of weathering,
running water, flowing ice and meltwater, ground ice and frost, the wind, and the sea; landforms
developed on limestone; and landscape evolution, a discussion of ancient landforms, including
palaeosurfaces, stagnant landscape features, and evolutionary aspects of landscape change.
This third edition has been fully updated to include a clearer initial explanation of the nature of
geomorphology, of land-surface process and form, and of land-surface change over different timescales.
The text has been restructured to incorporate information on geomorphic materials and processes at
suitable points in the book. Finally, historical geomorphology has been integrated throughout the text
to reflect the importance of history in all aspects of geomorphology.
Fundamentals of Geomorphology pro vides a stimulating and innovative perspective on the key topics
and debates within the field of geomorphology. Written in an accessible and lively manner, it includes
guides to further reading, chapter summaries, and an extensive glossary of key terms. The book is also
illustrated throughout with over 200 informative diagrams and attractive photographs, all in colour.
Richard John Huggettis a Reader in Physical Geography at the University of Manchester, UK.
ROUTLEDGE FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY SERIES
Series Editor: John Gerrard
This new series of focused, introductory textbooks presents comprehensive, up-to-date introductions
to the fundamental concepts, natural processes and human/environmental impacts within each of the
core physical geography sub-disciplines. Each volume in this uniformly designed series contains student-
friendly features: plentiful illustrations, boxed case studies, key concepts and summaries, further reading
guides and a glossary.
Already published:
Fundamentals of Soils
John Gerrard
Fundamentals of Biogeography, Second edition
Richard John Huggett
Fundamentals of Geomorphology, Second edition
Richard John Huggett
Fundamentals of Hydrology, Second edition
Tim Davie
Fundamentals of Geomorpholo gy, Third edition
Richard John Huggett
Fundamentals of
Geomorphology
Third Edition
Richard John Huggett
First edition published in 2002
Second edition published in 2007
Third edition published in 2011
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Routledge
270 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2011.
To purchase your own copy of this or any of Taylor & Francis or Routledge’s
collection of thousands of eBooks please go to www.eBookstore.tandf.co.uk.
© 2002, 2007, 2011 Richard John Huggett
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or
reproduced or utilized 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.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging in Pu blication Data
Huggett, Richard J.
Fundamentals of geomorphology/Richard John Huggett.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Geomorphology. I. Title.
GB401.5.H845 2011
551.41 –dc22 2010031716
ISBN 0-203-86008-X Master e-book ISBN
ISBN: 978-0-415-56774-9 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-415-56775-6 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-0-203-86008-3 (ebk)
10111
for my family
CONTENTS
Series editor’s preface ix PART III
Author’s preface to third edition xi PROCESS AND FORM 135
Author’s preface to second edition xii
Author’s preface to first edition xiii 7 Weathering and associated landforms 137
Acknowledgements xv
8 Hillslopes 164
PART I
9 Fluvial landscapes 187
INTRODUCING LANDFORMS
AND LANDSCAPES 1
10 Glacial and glaciofluvial landscapes 247
1 What is geomorphology? 3
11 Periglacial landscapes 290
2 Introducing process and form 19
12 Aeolian landscapes 314
3 Introducing history 44
13 Coastal landscapes 345
4 The geomorphic system 54
14 Karst landscapes 389
15 Landscape evolution: long-term
PART II
geomorphology 433
STRUCTURE 85
5 Plate tectonics and associated Appendix 1: The geological timescale 461
structural landforms 87 Appendix 2: Dating techniques 462
Glossary 468
6 Volcanoes, impact craters, folds, References 477
and faults 108 Index 503
SERIES EDITOR’S PREFACE
We are presently living in a time of unparalleled approaching individual topics. Although each
change and when concern for the environment has volume is complete in itself, there are many
never been greater. Global warming and climate explicit and implicit references to the topics
change, possible rising sea levels, deforestation, covered in the other volumes. Thus, the five
desertification, and widespread soil erosion are volumes together provide a comprehensive insight
just some of the issues of current concern. into the totality that is Physical Geography.
Although it is the role of human activity in such The flexibility provided by separate volumes
issues that is of most concern, this activity affects has been designed to meet the demand created by
the operation of the natural processes that occur the variety of courses currently operating in higher
within the physical environment. Most of these education institutions. The advent of modular
processes and their effects are taught and courses has meant that physical geography is now
researched within the academic dis cipline of rarely taught, in its entirety, in an ‘all-embracing’
physical geography. A knowledge and under- course but is generally split into its main
standing of physical geography, and all it entails, components. This is also the case with many
is vitally important. Advanced Level syllabuses. Thus students and
It is the aim of this Fundamentals of Physical teachers are being frustrated increasingly by lack
Geography Series to provide, in five volumes, the of suitable books and are having to recommend
fundamental nature of the physical processes texts of which only a small part might be relevant
that act on or just above the surface of the Earth. to their needs. Such texts also tend to lack the
The volumes in the series are Climatology, detail required. It is the aim of this series to provide
Geomorph ology, Biogeography, Hydrology, and individual volumes of sufficient breadth and depth
Soils. The topics are treated in sufficient breadth to fulfil new demands. The volumes should also
and depth to provide the coverage expected in a be of use to sixth-form teachers where modular
Funda mentals series. Each volume leads into the syllabuses are also becoming common.
topic by outlining the approach adopted. This is Each volume has been written by higher-
important because there may be several ways of education teachers with a wealth of experience in
