Scales in Geomorphology
Different geomorphological processes dominate at different spatial and temporal scales. Moreover, scales on which processes occur may determine the reactivity or otherwise of landscapes to changes in driving forces such as climate or tectonics. These ideas are key to the study of geomorphology today.
To help categorize landscape scales some geomorphologists might use the following taxonomy:
- 1st - Continent, ocean basin, climatic zone (~10,000,000 km2)
- 2nd - Shield, e.g. Baltic Shield, or mountain range (~1,000,000 km2)
- 3rd - Isolated sea, Sahel (~100,000 km2)
- 4th - Massif, e.g. Massif Central or Group of related landforms, e.g., Weald (~10,000 km2)
- 5th - River valley, Cotswolds (~1,000 km2)
- 6th - Individual mountain or volcano, small valleys (~100 km2)
- 7th - Hillslopes, stream channels, estuary (~10 km2)
- 8th - gully, barchannel (~1 km2)
- 9th - Meter-sized features
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Famous quotes containing the word scales:
“For these have governed in our lives,
And see how men have warred.
The Cross, the Crown, the Scales may all
As well have been the Sword.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)