Geomorphic Processes Meaning, Types, Diagram, Notes

Geomorphic Processes

Geomorphic Processes: Landforms on Earth’s surface are constantly being created and changed by different forces. Geomorphic processes are the internal and external factors that affect the earth’s materials, change them chemically, and shape the surface of the planet. Various agents, like water, wind, and ice, cause these geomorphic processes to occur.

Geomorphic Agents

Geomorphic agents are natural forces that move and deposit earth materials. Examples include running water, glaciers, wind, waves, ocean currents, and groundwater. These movements happen due to differences in height or pressure.

Difference Between Geomorphic Processes and Geomorphic Agents

A Geomorphic Process is a force that is applied to the components of the earth and brings changes in the configuration of the earth. A moving medium that gathers, moves, and deposits earth materials are referred to as a geomorphic agent.

Geomorphic Process Meaning and Types

Due to physical forces and chemical reactions on materials already present on Earth, the geomorphic process involves bringing about changes in the shape of the planet’s surface. Exogenic and endogenic forces are responsible for the physical and chemical action. There are two main geomorphic processes. Endogenic Forces and Exogenic Forces.

Geomorphic Processes Exogenic Forces

Exogenic forces come from outside the Earth’s interior, mainly from its atmosphere, and are mostly powered by the Sun. Exogenic forces mainly wear down mountains and fill up low areas. They help shape the Earth’s surface by breaking down rocks and soil, moving sediment, and changing the landscape. The processes caused by exogenic forces include weathering (breaking down materials), erosion (moving materials), transportation (carrying materials), and deposition (dropping materials). Together, these processes create different landforms like valleys, deltas, and beaches. Some examples of exogenic forces:

1. Weathering

Weathering is the process that breaks down and wears away rocks on the ground. This happens because of weather factors like rain, changes in temperature, and frost. These forces cause the rocks to break apart and become smaller over time.

2. Erosion

Soil erosion is the loosening and displacement of topsoil from the land due to the action of agents like wind and water.

3. Transportation

Transporting eroded debris means moving broken-down materials to new places. In geology, deposition is when these sediments, soil, and rocks are added to a landform. Soil compaction happens when soil particles are pressed together, reducing the space between them.

4. Deposition

On gentle slopes, erosion slows down, and the materials being carried start to settle. This is how erosion leads to deposition. Coarser materials settle first, then the finer ones. Erosional forces like running water, wind, glaciers, waves, and groundwater also help deposit these materials, filling up low areas.

Geomorphic Processes Endogenic Forces

Endogenetic forces come from deep inside the Earth. They are caused by movement in the mantle, the Earth’s rotation, and heat from radioactive decay. These forces create major changes in the Earth’s landscape, like forming mountains, breaking apart continents, and causing volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Important processes linked to endogenetic forces include tectonics (movement of Earth’s plates), volcanic activity, and seismic events (earthquakes). These can uplift landforms, create new land, and change the Earth’s crust. Some examples of Endogenic Forces:

1. Volcanism

Volcanism is the process of molten rock (magma) erupting onto the surface of the Earth or another planet with a solid surface. Lava and volcanic gases are released via an opening in the surface known as a vent.

2. Diastrophism

Also called tectonism, large-scale deformation of Earth’s crust by natural processes, which leads to the formation of continents and ocean basins, mountain systems, plateaus, rift valleys, and other features by mechanisms such as lithospheric plate movement (that is, plate tectonics), volcanic loading etc.

3. Metamorphism

It is a process by which the recrystallisation and reorganisation of minerals occur within a rock. This occurs due to pressure, volume and temperature.

4. Earthquake

The natural shaking of the Earth is known as an earthquake. This occurrence is the result of energy being released, which creates waves that go in all directions. The epicentre of an earthquake is a location under the Earth’s surface.

5. Landslides

A landslide happens when soil, rocks, or debris slide down a slope due to gravity. This can be caused by factors like the steepness of the ground and is usually triggered by heavy rain or earthquakes.

6. Faulting and Folding:

Faulting occurs when the Earth’s crust breaks and the rocks slide past each other, often moving in opposite directions. Folding creates fold mountains when the Earth’s crust bends instead of breaking.

Geomorphic Processes UPSC

A Geomorphic Process is a force that is applied to the components of the earth and brings changes in the configuration of the earth.

Endogenic forces and Exogenic Processes are responsible for Geomorphic Processes.

Various Geomorphic agents like Running water, glaciers, wind, waves, ocean currents, groundwater, etc. are a few examples of geomorphic agents that also play a role in the process.

A UPSC aspirant should be well aware of the topic of how various changes happen inside and on the surface of the earth, that help to shape the configuration of the earth. The details in the article would help candidates preparing for UPSC 2023.

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