The dictionary of physical geography

635 Pages·2016·33.12 MB·English

by  David S. G

Spine
25mm
Edited by David S. G. Thomas Thomas
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This fully revised comprehensive fourth edition covers the whole field of physical en
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geography, including climate and atmosphere, geomorphology, biogeography, hydrology, Gr
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oceans, Quaternary, environmental change, soils, remote sensing and GIS. This new edition r
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reflects developments in the discipline during the last decade, with the expert advisory
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group providing an international perspective on the discipline of physical geography.
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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
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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