Landforms of the Earth. An Illustrated Guide.

Abstract

Following the publication of the book Landscapes and landforms of Spain (Springer) devoted to some of the most outstanding geomorphological features of the Spanish territory, its editors, Francisco Gutiérrez and Mateo Gutierrez have accomplished an ambitious project with the book addressed in this review. The new book presents a comprehensive description of the landforms of the Earth’s surface, conceived as an illustrated guide of Geomorphology. Mateo Gutiérrez has contributed to the training of numerous geomorphologists currently working in several universities and research centres. He has developed a long and prolific scientific career dealing with a broad spectrum of topics, especially regional geomorphology, geomorphology of semiarid environments and soil erosion. Mateo has also authored two monumental books published in Spanish and English (Geomorphology and Climatic Geomorphology), which are the main Geomorphology textbooks in Spanish-speaking countries for Geology and Geography students, and have been widely divulgated in other countries. Francisco Gutiérrez has also worked in a wide range of geomorphological topics and in numerous regions worldwide, with a high number of papers in peer-reviewed international journals. His investigations are largely focused on Structural Geomorphology, and especially landforms and hazardous processes related to evaporite karst. This extensive scientific experience justifies the quality of the book, which constitutes a lavishly illustrated atlas of the landforms of the earth, covering the main fields in Geomorphology.

The book starts with an Introduction that briefly presents some key theoretical concepts of the subject, including the definition of Geomorphology, its subdivision into different fields, the importance of the magnitude and frequency relationships of the morphogenetic processes (gradualism versus catastrophism), or the complexity of landscapes, comprising a mosaic of landforms that evolve at different temporal scales, and may include relict features formed under past environmental conditions. The chapters following the Introduction analyse the different landforms according to a classic subdivision of Geomorphology: Five chapters cover the broad field of Structural Geomorphology (structural landforms, tectonic landforms, and landforms associated with volcanic, karst and granite terrains). Four chapters deal with the azonal morphogenetic systems, such as weathering, slope movements, fluvial landforms (including also water erosion features), and coastal landforms. The three final chapters deal with glacial, periglacial and desert-aeolian morphoclimatic environments. Each chapter presents in a clear way the main characteristics of the different landforms and their origin, accompanied by a large number of excellent colour figures that give an encyclopaedic character to the book. Although all the chapters are highly interesting, I would emphasize those dealing with volcanic, karst, fluvial and periglacial landforms. Most of the photographs, taken in numerous regions worldwide, are spectacular, and some of them require the trained look of geomorphologists or students familiar with earth surface processes (Geology, Physical Geography, and Environmental Sciences) to grasp their full content. It is also a valuable source of information for engineers with interest on natural hazards and slope processes. Overall, it is an excellent educational resource for scientists, students and the layman with interest in nature and landscapes. It will help them to identify and interpret landforms in the field and in aerial photographs. The quality of the book is warranted by the thorough review of the chapters by prominent international experts on the different fields (Anthony Cooper, Kenneth Johnson, Clifford Ollier, James McCalpin, Juan Carlos Carracedo, Ira Sasowsky, Piotr Migon Mauro Soldati, Adrian Harvey, Alan Trenhaile, Xavier Mir, Gonçalo Vieira, and Andrew Goudie). It is noteworthy that 30% of the royalties will be donated to the International Association of Geomorphologists for the grant program mainly devoted to young geomorphologists of less-favoured countries.

It is true that there are many manuals of Geomorphology, I dare say that all of excellent quality, some of them written by Spanish professionals. But the illustration of landforms through photographs provides Landforms of the Earth the opportunity to reach differently from the interpretation of the relief, not through schemes "book" but through the commentary of images that give an idea of the grandeur and diversity of land relief. The book also reveals something very important, but frequently overlooked by the new generations: Geomorphology is an Earth Science discipline that requires field work, detailed mapping of correctly identified landforms, the acquisition of measurements, the collection of samples, and the integration and interpretation of objective data. Nowadays, a good knowledge on modern methods like dating techniques and Geographical Information Systems is essential. However, regardless of the sophistication of the tools used, geomorphological investigations can hardly provide any satisfactory result if they are not founded on sound field-based identification and interpretation of landforms. This book proves the importance of the integrated and global view provided by the fascinating science of Geomorphology.