Definition of terms

Earth surface processes include weathering; sediment production by weathering and biochemical or chemical precipitation; erosion, transport, and deposition of sediment under the influence of gravity, flowing water, air, and ice; earthquakes and Earth surface motions; volcanic eruptions and movement of volcanic ejecta. Study of the landforms (morphology) of the Earth's surface, including the processes responsible for such landforms, is called geomorphology. The study of sediment, specifically the nature and origin of unconsolidated sediments and consolidated sedimentary rocks, is called sedimentology. Stratigraphy strictly means the description of (sedimentary) strata, which, by definition, is another aspect of sedimentology.

Importance of Earth surface processes

Earth surface processes are important for scientific, engineering, environmental, and economic reasons, as explained below.

Shaping of the Earth's surface

Many of the Earth surface processes responsible for landforms involve the formation, erosion, transport, and deposition of sediment (Figure 1.1). It is impossible to understand the formation of depositional landforms (such as deltas and beaches for example) without knowledge of the sediments that compose them. Furthermore, the nature of sedimentary deposits is likely to be related to the processes of sediment production and erosion in the source area. Therefore, the disciplines of geomorphology and sedimentology are intimately related.

Interpretation of ancient surface processes, landforms, and sedimentary deposits

The only rational way of interpreting the origin of ancient sedimentary deposits (Figure 1.2) is to compare them with modern sedimentary deposits, or with theoretical models based on knowledge of modern sedimentary processes.