Landscape analysis and the search for geomorphic unity

Research Article| February 01, 1988 Landscape analysis and the search for geomorphic unity DALE F. RITTER DALE F. RITTER 1Department of Geology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information DALE F. RITTER 1Department of Geology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1988) 100 (2): 160–171. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1988)100<0160:LAATSF>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation DALE F. RITTER; Landscape analysis and the search for geomorphic unity. GSA Bulletin 1988;; 100 (2): 160–171. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1988)100<0160:LAATSF>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Geomorphology has been an integral part of geological science since the inception of the Geological Society of America, even though different investigative goals have existed continuously in the discipline. The dichotomy of purpose began with the vastly different perception of landscape analysis embraced by William Morris Davis and G. K. Gilbert. Historical and physical geomorphic studies have always been conducted simultaneously, but one of these research activities has dominated the field at any given time. During the first half of this century, most geomorphic work was devoted to the interpretation of long-term, evolutionary history of regional landscapes. In the past four decades, however, research has concentrated on the study of geomorphic processes. This revised direction placed greater emphasis on the physical component of geomorphology and provided a more complete understanding of the time factor in landscape analysis. Historical geomorphology is now less concerned with theories of cyclic-time landscape development and more involved in determining the time and sequence of shorter episodes of geomorphic disequilibrium caused by tectonism and/or climate change.The tenor of future research in surficial geology will require input from both physical and historical geomorphology, and therefore a greater unity of purpose among geomorphologists can be expected. Geomorphologists will have the opportunity to provide geologists and engineers with useful data about major scientific and technical problems related to plate-tectonic theory, interpretation of the stratigraphic record, and prediction of landform stability for environmental planning. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.