Tectonic Geomorphology

• Credit value: 15 credits at Level 6
• Tutor: Professor Andy Carter
• Assessment: a three-hour theory examination (70%) and coursework (30%)

In this module you will develop your understanding of interactions between the Earth’s geological, physical and chemical processes and landscape evolution. You will learn how mountains grow and are destroyed. You will understand how topography influences Earth's climate and where to look in the geological record for evidence of landscape-climate interactions.

Indicative syllabus

• Introduction to landscape evolution
• The role of denudation, uplift and isostasy
• Reference frames and the use of geomorphic and geodetic markers
• Applications of relative and absolute dating methods to landscape evolution studies
• The nature of climate-tectonic interactions
• Mountain belt evolution
• Passive margin evolution
• Short and long-term deformation and landscape response
• Development and application of numerical and analog models

By the end of this module, you should:

• have learned how landscapes form and evolve
• understand concepts of feedback systems between geological processes and climate
• understand the processes and controls that govern landscape evolution.