Geomorphic Processes- physical processes which create and modify landforms on the
surface of the earth
TWO TYPE OF GEOMORPHIC PROCESSES- Endogenous (Endogenic) and Exogenous
(Exogenic) Processes
Endogenous Processes are large-scale landform building and transforming processes
– they create relief.
1. Igneous Processes
a. Volcanism: Volcanic eruptions Volcanoes
b. Plutonism: Igneous intrusions
[Link] Processes (Also called Diastrophism)
[Link]: anticlines, synclines, mountains
[Link]: rift valleys, graben, escarpments
[Link] Faulting: strike-slip faults
Earthquakes evidence of present-day tectonic activity
Exogenous Processes also called Gradational Processes, they comprise degradation and
aggradation
– they modify relief
> a continuum of processes – Weathering Mass Wasting Erosion Transportation
Deposition
> these processes are carried through by Geomorphic Agents: gravity, flowing water (rivers),
moving ice (glaciers), waves and tides (oceans and lakes), wind,plants, organisms, animals
and humans
1. Degradation Processes Also called Denudation Processes
a. Weathering, b. Mass Wasting and c. Erosion and Transportation
[Link] Processes
a. Deposition – fluvial, eolian, glacial, coastal
Weathering is disintegration and decomposition of rocks in situ – no transportation involved
Types of Weathering: 1) Physical or Mechanical Weathering, 2) Chemical Weathering, and 3)
Biological Weathering
Stress- force applied per unit area
Strain- change in size, shape, or volume of a material
3 Kinds of Differential Stress
Tensional stress (or extensional stress) – stress which stretches rock
Compressional stress – stress which squeezes rock
Shear stress – stress which results in slippage and translation
Internal Heat of the Earth- fuels the planet’s dynamic processes including plate movements,
earthquakes, and volcanism.
Earth’s internal heat is produced by residual heat (extraterrestrial impacts and
gravitational contraction) and radiogenic heat.