Process Geomorphology

by Ritter, Dale F.; Kochel, R. Craig; Miller, Jerry R.

• ISBN13: 9780697344113
• ISBN10: 0697344118
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-11-19
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math

Summary

The prime purpose of this book is to provide undergraduate students with an introductory understanding of process mechanics and how process leads to the genesis of landforms.In addition to historical concerns, today's geomorphologist must relate to problems that face hydrologists, engineers, geologists, pedologists, foresters, and many other types of earth scientists. The bond that unites geomorphology with so many apparently diverse disciplines is the common need to understand the processes operating within the Earth's surficial systems. Thus, although the historical aspect of landscapes remains important, it is absolutely essential for earth scientists to have a basic understanding of surface mechanics.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Process Geomorphology: An Introduction	1	(19)
Introduction	2	(1)
The Basics of Process Geomorphology	3	(16)
The Delicate Balance	4	(2)
Force, Process, and Resistance: The Ingredients of Balance	6	(1)
Driving Forces	7	(2)
The Resisting Framework	9	(5)
Thresholds and Complex Response	14	(2)
The Principle of Process Linkage	16	(1)
The Time Framework	16	(3)
Summary	19	(1)
Suggested Readings	19	(1)
Internal Forces and Climate	20	(22)
Introduction	21	(1)
The Endogenic Effect	21	(13)
Epeirogeny	22	(3)
Orogeny and Tectonic Geomorphology	25	(1)
Tectonic Geomorphology	25	(6)
Volcanism	31	(3)
Climatic Geomorphology	34	(6)
Climate, Process, and Landforms	34	(2)
Climate Change and Geomorphic Response	36	(1)
Sea-Level Fluctuation	37	(1)
Geologic and Vegetal Screens	38	(2)
Summary	40	(1)
Suggested Readings	41	(1)
Chemical Weathering and Soils	42	(37)
Introduction	43	(1)
Decomposition	44	(14)
Processes of Decomposition	46	(1)
Oxidation and Reduction	47	(1)
Solution	47	(1)
Hydrolysis	48	(1)
Ion Exchange	48	(1)
Mobility	49	(1)
Leaching	49	(1)
pH	50	(1)
The Eh Factor	50	(1)
Fixation and Retardation	51	(1)
Chelation	51	(1)
The Degree of Decomposition	52	(1)
Mineral Stability	52	(1)
Secondary Minerals	53	(3)
Estimates Based on Chemical Analyses	56	(1)
The Rate of Chemical Weathering	56	(1)
The Complicating Factors	57	(1)
Soils	58	(20)
Soil Properties	58	(3)
Soil Horizon Nomenclature and Description	61	(1)
Soil Classification	62	(3)
Pedogenic Controls and Regimes	65	(3)
Podzolization	68	(2)
Laterization	70	(1)
Calcification	70	(1)
The Factor of Time	71	(2)
Geomorphic Significance of Soils	73	(5)
Summary	78	(1)
Suggested Readings	78	(1)
Physical Weathering, Mass Movement, and Slopes	79	(55)
Introduction	80	(1)
Physical Weathering	80	(12)
Expansion of Rocks and Minerals	81	(1)
Thermal Expansion	81	(1)
Unloading	82	(1)
Hydration and Swelling	83	(4)
Salt Weathering	87	(2)
Growth in Voids	89	(3)
The Significance of Water and Interaction of Chemical and Physical Weathering Processes	92	(1)
Physical Properties of Unconsolidated Debris	92	(7)
Shear Strength	95	(1)
Internal Friction	95	(1)
Effective Normal Stress	96	(1)
Cohesion	96	(3)
Measurement of Strength	99	(1)
Mass Movements of Slope Materials	99	(26)
Slope Stability	100	(2)
Mass Wasting Processes	102	(1)
Heave and Creep	102	(3)
Rockfalls	105	(2)
Slides	107	(6)
Flows	113	(10)
Morphology of Mass Movements	123	(2)
Slope Profiles	125	(8)
The Rock-Climate Influence	129	(2)
Slope Evolution	131	(1)
Relict Hillslope Forms	132	(1)
Summary	133	(1)
Suggested Readings	133	(1)
The Drainage Basin---Development, Morphometry, and Hydrology	134	(55)
Introduction	135	(2)
Slope Hydrology and Runoff Generation	137	(7)
Infiltration	138	(1)
Subsurface Stormflow and Saturated Overland Flow	139	(2)
The Stream Hydrograph and Response to Basin Characteristics	141	(1)
Effect of Physical Basin Characteristics	141	(3)
Initiation of Channels and the Drainage Network	144	(16)
Basin Morphometry	147	(3)
Linear Morphometric Relationships	150	(1)
Areal Morphometric Relationships	150	(3)
Relief Morphometric Relationships	153	(1)
Basin Morphometry and the Flood Hydrograph	154	(2)
Basin Evolution	156	(4)
Basin Hydrology	160	(13)
Subsurface Water	160	(1)
The Groundwater Profile	161	(1)
Movement of Groundwater	161	(1)
Aquifers, Wells, and Groundwater Utilization Problems	162	(2)
Surface Water	164	(1)
Flood Frequency	165	(3)
Paleoflood Hydrology	168	(5)
Basin Denudation	173	(15)
Slope Erosion and Sediment Yield	173	(1)
Wash	174	(1)
Sediment Yield (Soil Loss)	175	(1)
Factors Affecting Sediment Yield	176	(8)
Sediment Budgets	184	(2)
Rates of Denudation	186	(2)
Summary	188	(1)
Suggested Readings	188	(1)
Fluvial Processes	189	(43)
Introduction	190	(1)
The River Channel	190	(5)
Basic Mechanics	190	(3)
Flow Equations and Resisting Factors	193	(2)
Sediment in Channels	195	(11)
Transportation	195	(1)
Entrainment	196	(4)
Bank Erosion	200	(2)
Erosion of Bedrock Channels	202	(2)
Deposition	204	(1)
The Frequency and Magnitude of River Work	205	(1)
The Quasi-Equilibrium Condition	206	(8)
Hydraulic Geometry	207	(4)
The Influence of Slope	211	(2)
Channel Shape	213	(1)
Channel Patterns	214	(11)
Straight Channels	215	(2)
Meandering Channels	217	(4)
Braided Channels	221	(2)
Anastomosing and Anabranching Channels	223	(1)
The Continuity of Channel Patterns	224	(1)
Rivers, Equilibrium, and Time	225	(6)
Adjustment of Gradient	228	(2)
Adjustment of Shape and Pattern	230	(1)
Summary	231	(1)
Suggested Readings	231	(1)
Fluvial Landforms	232	(39)
Introduction	233	(1)
Floodplains	233	(9)
Deposits and Topography	235	(2)
The Origin of Floodplains	237	(1)
The Humid-Temperate Model	237	(4)
Spatial and Temporal Effects	241	(1)
Fluvial Terraces	242	(6)
Types and Classification	243	(1)
The Origin of Terraces	243	(1)
Depositional Terraces	243	(1)
Erosional Terraces	244	(2)
Terrace Origin and the Field Problem	246	(2)
Piedmont Environment: Fans and Pediments	248	(16)
Alluvial Fans	248	(3)
Fan Morphology	251	(4)
Fan Deposits and Origins	255	(4)
Pediments	259	(1)
Morphology and Topography	260	(2)
Processes	262	(1)
Formative Models	263	(1)
Deltas	264	(5)
Delta Classification, Morphology, and Deposits	264	(2)
Delta Evolution	266	(3)
Summary	269	(1)
Suggested Readings	270	(1)
Wind Processes and Landforms	271	(25)
Introduction	272	(1)
The Resisting Environment	272	(3)
The Driving Force	275	(1)
Entrainment and Transportation	276	(19)
Processes	276	(1)
The Effect of Saltation	277	(3)
Erosional Features	280	(2)
Deposits and Features	282	(3)
Ripples	285	(1)
Dunes	286	(6)
Fine-Grained Deposits	292	(3)
Summary	295	(1)
Suggested Readings	295	(1)
Glaciers and Glacial Mechanics	296	(25)
Introduction	297	(1)
Glacial Origins and Types	297	(4)
The Mass Balance	301	(1)
The Movement of Glaciers	302	(13)
Internal Motion	303	(1)
Basic Mechanics	303	(1)
A Simple Model of Internal Flow	304	(2)
Extending and Compressive Flow	306	(2)
Sliding	308	(4)
Motion with Deforming Subglacial Sediments	312	(1)
Velocity Variations with Time	313	(2)
Ice Structures	315	(4)
Stratification	316	(1)
Secondary Features	316	(1)
Foliation	316	(1)
Crevasses	316	(3)
Summary	319	(1)
Suggested Readings	320	(1)
Glacial Erosion, Deposition, and Landforms	321	(37)
Introduction	322	(1)
Erosional Processes and Features	322	(1)
Minor Subglacial Features	322	(13)
Cirques	328	(1)
Cirque Morphology	328	(1)
Cirque Formation	329	(3)
Glacial Troughs	332	(3)
Deposits and Depositional Features	335	(21)
Drift Types	335	(1)
Nonstratified Drift	335	(3)
Stratified Drift	338	(1)
The Depositional Framework	338	(3)
Marginal Ice-Contact Features	341	(1)
Moraines	341	(3)
Stratified Marginal Features	344	(5)
Interior Ice-Contact Features	349	(1)
Interior Moraine	349	(1)
Fluted Surfaces and Drumlins	350	(4)
Proglacial Features	354	(2)
Summary	356	(1)
Suggested Readings	357	(1)
Periglacial Processes and Landforms	358	(48)
Introduction	359	(1)
Permafrost and Ground Ice	360	(8)
Definition and Thermal Characteristics	360	(1)
Distribution, Thickness, and Origin	361	(5)
Hydrology	366	(2)
Periglacial Processes	368	(9)
Frost Action	368	(1)
Frost Wedging	369	(1)
Frost Heaving and Thrusting	370	(1)
Frost Sorting	371	(1)
Frost Cracking	372	(1)
Nivation	373	(1)
Pedogenesis in Permafrost Terrain	373	(1)
Mass Movements	374	(1)
Frost Creep	374	(1)
Solifluction (Gelifluction)	374	(3)
Periglacial Landforms	377	(1)
Landforms Associated with Permafrost	377	(19)
Ice Wedges and Ice-Wedge Polygons	377	(2)
Pingos	379	(2)
Thermokarst	381	(1)
Patterned Ground	381	(1)
Classification	381	(4)
Origin	385	(1)
Landforms Associated with Mass Movement	386	(1)
Stratified Slope Deposits	386	(1)
Gelifluction Features	386	(1)
Rock Glaciers	387	(2)
Blockfields	389	(2)
Cryoplanation Terraces	391	(4)
Relict Periglacial Features and Their Significance	395	(1)
Environmental and Engineering Considerations	396	(9)
Building Foundations	397	(1)
Roads and Airfields	397	(2)
Utilities: Water and Sewage	399	(1)
Pipelines	399	(1)
Implications for Global Warming	400	(1)
Applications to Planetary Geology	401	(4)
Summary	405	(1)
Suggested Readings	405	(1)
Karst---Processes and Landforms	406	(27)
Introduction	407	(1)
Definitions and Characteristics	407	(1)
The Processes and Their Controls	408	(1)
Karst Rocks---The Resisting Framework	408	(5)
Lithology	408	(1)
Porosity and Permeability	409	(1)
The Driving Mechanics and Controls	410	(1)
The Solution Process	410	(2)
Solution Rates---The Controlling Factors	412	(1)
Spatial Variations in Limestone Solution	413	(1)
Karst Hydrology and Drainage Characteristics	413	(6)
Surface Flow	413	(1)
Karst Aquifers and Groundwater Flow	414	(1)
The Relations Between Surface and Groundwater	415	(3)
Morphology of Karst Drainage	418	(1)
Surficial Landforms	419	(9)
Closed Depressions	419	(1)
Dolines	419	(3)
Doline Morphometry	422	(1)
Uvalas and Poljes	423	(1)
Karst Valleys	424	(1)
Allogenic Valleys	424	(1)
Blind and Dry Valleys	424	(1)
Pocket Valleys	425	(1)
Cockpit and Tower Karst	425	(3)
Limestone Caves	428	(4)
Cave Physiography	428	(1)
Entrances and Terminations	428	(1)
Passages and Passage Morphology	428	(2)
The Origin of Limestone Caves	430	(2)
Summary	432	(1)
Suggested Readings	432	(1)
Coastal Processes and Landforms	433	(58)
Introduction	434	(2)
Coastal Processes	436	(15)
Waves	437	(1)
Wave Generation	437	(3)
Wave Modification Near the Coast	440	(5)
Tsunamis and Seiches	445	(1)
Tides and Currents	445	(1)
Tides	445	(3)
Nearshore Currents	448	(3)
Beaches	451	(15)
The Beach Profile and Equilibrium	451	(2)
Nearshore Bars	453	(2)
Beach Morphodynamics	455	(5)
Shoreline Configurations and Beach Landforms	460	(1)
Beach Cusps	461	(3)
Large-Scale Rhythmic Topography and Capes	464	(2)
Coastal Topography	466	(7)
High-Relief, Erosional Shorelines	467	(3)
Low-Relief, Depositional Shorelines	470	(3)
Shoreline Change	473	(8)
Rates of Change	474	(2)
Causes of Shoreline Erosion	476	(1)
Rising Sea Level	476	(2)
Coastal Storms	478	(3)
Barrier Islands	481	(9)
Distribution and Characteristics	481	(2)
Geomorphic Processes and Dynamics	483	(7)
Summary	490	(1)
Suggested Readings	490	(1)
Bibliography	491	(54)
Credits	545	(3)
Index	548