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SHAKTI BATCH
Geomorphic Processes
The processes which are responsible for changing and altering the earth surface are called as
geomorphic processes
After learning about how the earth was born, how it evolved its crust and other inner layers, how its
crustal plates moved and are moving, and other information of rocks, crust is composed of, it is time to
know in detail about the surface of the earth on which we live. The earth’s crust is dynamic. Of course, it
moved a bit faster in the past than the rate at which it is moving now. The differences in the internal forces
operating from within the earth which built up the crust have been responsible for the variations in the outer
surface of the crust. The earth’s surface is being continuously subjected to external forces induced basically
by energy (sunlight).
The forces which are originated deep inside the earth is called as endogenetic forces. The forces which
are originated from outside (atmosphere) are known as exogenetic forces Endogenetic forces are
responsible for creating new landform on earth surface while exogenetic forces are responsible leveling the
earth surface. The actions of exogenic forces result in wearing down (degradation) of relief/elevations and
filling up (aggradation) of basins/ depressions, on the earth’s surface.
Endogenetic forces are generated due to reaction of radioactive elements and primordial energy inside the
earth. In general terms, the endogenic forces are mainly land building forces and the exogenic processes
are mainly land wearing forces.
All processes that move, elevate or build up portions of the earth’s crust come under Diastrophism
(slow movement). They include:
(i) Orogenic processes involving mountain building through severe folding and affecting long and narrow
belts of the earth’s crust;
(ii) Epeirogenic processes involving uplift or warping of large parts of the earth’s crust continent building.

Catastrophism sudden movement this occur suddenly on the earth surface like Earthquake and volcanism.
Exogenetic forces further divided in 4 parts:
 Weathering
 Mass movement
 Erosion
 Deposition
 Weathering

Weathering: Weathering is defined as mechanical disintegration and chemical decomposition of rocks

through the actions of various elements of weather and climate. Disintegration and chemical decom-
position of rocks through the actions of various elements of weather and climate.
There are three major groups of weathering processes:
(i) Chemical
(ii) Physical or mechanical
(iii) Biological weathering processes.
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Chemical Weathering Processes:- A group of weathering processes viz; solution, carbonation, hydration,
oxidation.
Physical or mechanical weathering processes depend on some applied forces. The applied forces could
be:
(i) Gravitational forces such as overburden pressure, load and shearing stress;
(ii) Expansion forces due to temperature changes, crystal growth or animal activity;
(iii) Water pressures controlled by wetting and drying cycles. Many of these forces are applied both at the
surface and within different earth materials leading to rock fracture. Most of the physical weathering
processes are caused by thermal expansion and pressure release.

Biological Activity and Weathering:

Biological weathering is contribution to or removal of minerals and ions from the weathering
environment and physical changes due to growth or movement of organisms. Burrowing and wedging by
organisms like earthworms, termites, rodents honey badger etc., help in exposing the new surfaces to
chemical attack and assists in the penetration of moisture and air. Human beings by disturbing vegetation,
ploughing and cultivating soils, also help in mixing and creating new contacts between air, water and
minerals in the earth materials.

Significance of Weathering:
Weathering processes are responsible for breaking down the rocks into smaller fragments and
preparing the way for formation of not only regolith and soils.

Mass Movements:
These movements transfer the mass of rock debris down the slopes under the direct influence of
gravity. Mass movements are aided by gravity and no geomorphic agent like running water, glaciers, wind,
waves and currents participate in the process of mass movements.

Erosion:
Erosion involves acquisition and transportation of rock debris. When massive rocks break into smaller
fragments through weathering and any other process, erosional geomorphic agents like running water,
groundwater, glaciers, wind and waves remove and transport it to other places depending upon the dynamics
of each of these agents.

Running Water:
In humid regions, which receive heavy rainfall running water is considered the most important of the
geomorphic agents in bringing about the degradation of the land surface. There are two components of
running water. One is overland flow on general land surface as a sheet.

Youth:
Streams are few during this stage with poor integration and flow over original slopes showing shallow
V-shaped valleys with no floodplains or with very narrow floodplains along trunk streams.
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PLUNGE POOL
Mature:
During this stage streams are plenty with good integration. The valleys are still V-shaped but deep;
trunk streams are broad enough to have wider floodplains within which streams may flow in meanders
confined within the valley.

Old:
Smaller tributaries during old age are few with gentle gradients. Streams meander freely over vast
floodplains showing oxbow lakes and Delta

Groundwater:
The surface water percolates well when the rocks are permeable, thinly bedded and highly jointed and
cracked. After vertically going down to some depth, the water under the ground flows horizontally. It is
this downward and horizontal movement of water which causes the rocks to erode. Stalactites Stalagmites.

Glaciers:
Masses of ice moving as sheets over the land or as linear flows down the slopes of mountains and in
valleys (mountain and valley glaciers) are called glaciers Erosion by glaciers is tremendous because of
friction caused by sheer weight of the ice. Glaciers can cause significant damage to even un-weathered
rocks and can reduce high mountains into low hills and plains.
Drumplins are egg basket which is found in the deposition of glacier

Wind:
Wind erosion is a natural process that moves soil from one location to another by wind power. It can
cause significant economic and environmental damage. Wind erosion can be caused by a light wind that
rolls soil particles along the surface through to a strong wind that lifts a large volume of soil particles into
the air to create dust storms.

Sand Dunes:
Dry hot deserts are good places for sand dune formation. Barkhan topography is found in desert
Deposition is a consequence of erosion. The erosional agents loose their velocity and hence energy on
gentler slopes and the materials carried by them start to settle themselves. In other words, deposition is not
actually the work of any agent. The coarser materials get deposited first and finer ones later. By deposition
depressions get filled up. The same erosional agents viz., running water, glaciers, wind, waves and
groundwater act as aggradational or depositional agents also.

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