Geomorphology is the study of the earth’s landforms and the processes that made the landscape look the way it does today. What we see when we look at a scenic view is the result of the interplay of the forces that shape the earth’s surface. These operate on many different timescales and involve geological as well as climatic forces.

Adrian Harvey introduces the varying geomorphological forces and differing timescales which thus combine: from the global, which shape continents and mountain ranges; through the regional, producing hills and river basins; to the local, forming beaches, glaciers and slopes; to those micro scale forces which weather rock faces and produce sediment. Finally, he considers the effect that humans have had on the world’s topography.

‘This attractive publication is indeed footnote-free and well-produced in colour. It is, though, definitely slimline rather than lightweight. Authoritative in tone and broad in scope, any undergraduate or ambitious A-level student will learn much from its pages.’ Geography

'Prof. Harvey’s book is readable and well worth its price.' Proceedings of the OUGS

Professor Adrian Harvey retired from the University of Liverpool where he taught undergraduate courses in geomorphology. As past editor in chief of the leading academic journal in the field he is uniquely placed to condense his encyclopaedic knowledge of geomorphology into this concise introduction to the subject.