Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

Geomorphology is the study of the Earth's surface and its topographical features, focusing on the classification, description, and origin of landforms. Landforms are shaped by two primary types of processes: constructional processes, which build up the Earth's surface (like volcanic eruptions), and destructional processes, which wear it down through erosion and weathering. These processes, influenced by factors like climate, tectonic activity, and the type of rock, interact over geologic time to create the diverse landscapes we see. Examples include mountains, valleys, plateaus, and volcanic cones.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.