Physical Geography / Geomorphology

Meaning, Scope & Components of Physical Geography

  • Meaning of physical geography; scope & branches; components (geomorphology, climatology, oceanography, biogeography)

Interior of the Earth & Earth’s Layers

  • Structure of the Earth: crust, mantle, outer core & inner core
  • Composition of Earth’s interior; physical conditions (temperature, pressure, density)

Origin of Continents & Oceans

  • Origin of continents & oceans; geological time scale

Isostasy: Airy & Pratt Hypotheses

  • Isostasy: concept, Airy’s & Pratt’s hypotheses; isostatic adjustment

Continental Drift Theory: Wegener

  • Continental Drift Theory: Wegener’s evidences & criticisms

Plate Tectonic Theory: Types & Boundaries

  • Plate Tectonic Theory: types of plates, plate boundaries (convergent, divergent, transform)

Sea-Floor Spreading & Subduction

  • Sea-floor spreading; subduction zones; ridge push & slab pull

Endogenetic & Exogenetic Forces

  • Endogenetic forces: origin, types & effects (diastrophism, volcanism)
  • Exogenetic forces: weathering, erosion, deposition & their agents

Earth Movements: Epeirogenic & Orogenic

  • Earth movements: epeirogenic & orogenic movements

Seismicity: Seismic Waves, Richter & Mercalli Scale

  • Seismicity: types of seismic waves (P, S, L), seismograph, Richter & Mercalli scales

Folding: Types of Folds

  • Folding: types of folds (anticline, syncline, monocline, isoclinal)

Faulting: Types of Faults

  • Faulting: types of faults (normal, reverse, strike-slip, thrust)

Vulcanicity: Types of Volcanoes & Volcanic Landforms

  • Vulcanicity: types of volcanoes (shield, composite, cinder cone), volcanic landforms

Earthquakes: Causes, Focus, Epicentre & Seismic Zones

  • Earthquakes: causes, focus, epicentre, seismic zones of the world

Geomorphic Cycle of Davis: Stages & Peneplain

  • Geomorphic cycle of Davis: stages (youth, maturity, old age), peneplain, monadnock

Geomorphic Cycle of Penck: Piedmont Steps

  • Geomorphic cycle of Penck: concept of primary & secondary peneplains; Piedmont steps

Theories of Slope Development

  • Theories of slope development: Decline (Davis), Replacement (Penck), Parallel retreat (King), Dynamic equilibrium (Hack)

Processes of Slope Development

  • Processes of slope development: creep, solifluction, sheet wash, rill wash

Denudation: Concept, Agents & Rates

  • Denudation: concept, agents & rates

Chemical Weathering: Types & Processes

  • Chemical weathering: hydrolysis, oxidation, carbonation, solution, hydration

Mechanical Weathering: Types & Processes

  • Mechanical weathering: frost action, exfoliation, salt crystallization, pressure release

Biological Weathering & Mass Wasting

  • Biological weathering; mass wasting: types (falls, slides, flows, creep)

Applied Geomorphology: Nature & Scope

  • Applied Geomorphology: meaning, scope & significance; principles of geomorphic equilibrium

Modern Techniques: Hypsometry, Altimetry, Clinographic

  • Modern techniques in geomorphology: longitudinal profile, hypsometric analysis, altimetry, clinographic curves

Drainage Basin: Concept & Network Characteristics

  • Drainage Basin: concept, watershed delineation, network characteristics

Drainage Morphometry: Ratios & Indices

  • Drainage morphometry: stream ordering (Strahler & Horton), bifurcation ratio, drainage density, drainage frequency, basin circularity ratio, elongation ratio & form factor

Drainage Patterns: Dendritic, Trellis, Radial etc.

  • Phases of drainage network development; drainage patterns (dendritic, trellis, radial, parallel, centripetal)

Fluvial Landforms

  • Fluvial landforms: V-shaped valley, meander, oxbow lake, alluvial fan, delta, flood plain, river terraces

Aeolian Landforms

  • Aeolian landforms: deflation hollows, barchans, seif dunes, loess deposits, yardangs, zeugens

Glacial Landforms

  • Glacial landforms: cirque, arête, horn, U-valley, fjord, drumlin, esker, moraine, till plains

Karst Landforms

  • Karst landforms: sinkholes, caves, stalactites, stalagmites, uvala, poljes, karst towers

Coastal Landforms

  • Coastal landforms: wave-cut platform, sea cliff, headland, bay, spit, tombolo, beach, coral reef coast

Geomorphic Hazards: Earthquakes

  • Geomorphic hazards: earthquakes — causes, distribution & impacts

Geomorphic Hazards: Volcanoes

  • Geomorphic hazards: volcanoes — types, distribution & impacts

Geomorphic Hazards: Landslides

  • Geomorphic hazards: landslides — types, causes, triggering factors & impacts

Geomorphic Hazards: Avalanches

  • Geomorphic hazards: avalanches — types, causes & impacts

Anthropogenic Effects on Erosion & Sedimentation

  • Anthropogenic effects on erosion: deforestation, mining, agriculture, construction
  • Anthropogenic effects on sedimentation: reservoir siltation, riverbed changes, coastal accretion

Urban Geomorphology

  • Urban Geomorphology: impervious surfaces, urban flooding, subsidence, land use change

Coastal Geomorphology & Management

  • Coastal Geomorphology & management: erosion, accretion, sea walls, beach nourishment, mangrove conservation

Land Degradation: Types & Causes

  • Land Degradation: types (soil erosion, desertification, salinization, waterlogging) & causes

Land Restoration: Methods & Techniques

  • Land Restoration: reclamation methods, afforestation, bunding, check dams

Engineering Geomorphology: Dams, Roads & Tunnels

  • Engineering geomorphology: impacts of dams (river morphology, sedimentation), roads & tunnels on slopes

Sustainable Geomorphological Practices

  • Sustainable geomorphological practices: slope stabilization, watershed management, ecological restoration

Practical: Field Surveys, GPS, DTM, Morphometry, Slope Profiles

  • Practical: Field surveys & transects; topographic map reading; GPS usage in field; RS & GIS for landform identification & mapping; digital terrain modelling (DTM/DEM); drainage morphometry calculation; slope profiles; clinographic curve; hypsographic curve; altimetric frequency graph

Supplementary Topics: Physical Geography & Geomorphology

No specific topics listed.