Equilibrium In Geomorphology Essay

1366 Words3 Pages

The Concept of Equilibrium in Geomorphology INTRODUCTION The concept of equilibrium in geomorphology as a theory to explain landform evolution was first tabled by American geologist Grove Karl Gilbert. He was born on May 6, 1843 in Rochester, New York, United States of America. (Pyne &Stephen,1980) He was also one of the founders of the modern study of geomorphology. Howard,1988 said “Gilbert’s concept of equilibrium is also known as the principle of least force or Gilbert’s theory” (Howard,1988). It is one of seven major geomorphic theories of landform development; notable other include the Theory of L.C. King and Davisian Theory. (Tiwari,n.d) Image 1: Grove K. Gilbert (Lowe,A.,1920) Equilibrium is a single word that grasp a number of different ideas. Equilibrium within …show more content…

As a result the term, for many, has degenerated to the status of a non-corrigible regulative principle; although a few geomorphologists make precise use of equilibria terminology, their precision is invariably lost on the larger audience. (Thorn &Welford,2009) Equilibrium is related with force in dynamics, with energy in thermodynamics (and probability by extension), and with pure numerical behaviour in mathematics. (Howard,1988) In General System Theory, equilibrium is traced from thermodynamics but applied, by analogy, almost 2 exclusively to mass and resulted a purely geomorphic version of equilibrium (dynamic equilibrium). Seeking a Definition The first hurdle equilibrium has in geomorphology is its definition; the term is often used in a variety of ways and usually leads to imprecision; however Howard (1988) offered a definition that conforms to the spirit of prior usage while offering operational rules capable of quantitative testing. This definition is paraphrased and somewhat amended below as a series of prepositions followed by imperative corollaries and

More about Equilibrium In Geomorphology Essay

Open Document