4
Climatic Geomorphology
by the discipline of geotectonics after micro-structural analysis was developed, which
assisted far deeper knowledge of the structure of mountain belts (Gutirrrez, 1990).
These new trends in geomorphology have been instigated, as in other branches of the
Earth sciences, by the evolution of ideas, knowledge and scientific methodology over the
last centuries. The birth of geomorphology as a science took place when the explanatory
focus replaced its initial descriptive motive; only a century ago descriptive geomorphology was known as "orography" or "hydrography" (Tricart, 1965). The Americans McGee
and Powell were probably the first authors to use the term "geomorphology" during the
decade of the 1880s (Hart, 1986).
2. History of climatic geomorphology
2.1. Geomorphology before the second half of the 19th century
The origins of geomorphology, as with many other scientific disciplines, are unclear and
the first observations and interpretations came from the philosophers of ancient Greece.
An extensive and detailed analysis of that primary epoch can be consulted in the excellent
treatise of Chorley et al. (1964). Although the term "geomorphology" was not coined then,
the first ideas and fundamentals were developed in concert with other intrinsic
observations of the natural world.
As Holmes (1965) pointed out, in spite of the important advances in mathematics and
the astronomy made by Greek philosophers, they considered natural phenomena to be
powerful manifestations of their ancient gods or myths. In fact, many of the natural
phenomena were personifications of the diverse aspects of nature (Poseidon, Zeus, Pluto,
etc.). These beliefs had a considerable bearing on the development of geomorphologic
theories until the 18th century (the teleological period of Chorley (1978)).
Nevertheless, in spite of the common conviction regarding the divinity of natural
phenomena, some of the philosophers set aside this framework. Thales of Miletus (624565 BC) considered natural processes as usual facts that could be understood by
observation and logical approach. Likewise, Anaxagoras (500-428 BC) pointed out that
the Earth revolutions were so slow, when compared with human life, that they go
unnoticed by humans (Cailleux, 1961). This same philosopher indicated that water was
elevated by the Sun and came back to the Earth's surface as rain. Plato (429-347 BC)
imagined that all the rivers came from, and returned to, a huge cavern of water inside the
Earth (Adams, 1938). This theory was possibly based upon field observations of the karstic
landscape of Greece. Aristotle (348-322 BC) also developed excellent ideas on
geomorphology, such as the hydrological cycle and the theory of relief development
due to fiver incision.
As indicated by Cailleux (1961) and Ellenberger (1988), almost all of the deductions
by the Romans about the natural world were based upon Greek theories. This fact can be
inferred from the Natural History of Pliny (23-79 BC), which constituted a summary
of Greek theories, superstitions and conjectures mixed together (Cailleux, 1961).
Consequently, scientific advances were scarce during the Roman period.
This generalized hiatus in science lasted until the 16th century, and was also manifest in
the development of geomorphology. During this millennium and a half, the ancient Greek
Climatic Geomorphology
by the discipline of geotectonics after micro-structural analysis was developed, which
assisted far deeper knowledge of the structure of mountain belts (Gutirrrez, 1990).
These new trends in geomorphology have been instigated, as in other branches of the
Earth sciences, by the evolution of ideas, knowledge and scientific methodology over the
last centuries. The birth of geomorphology as a science took place when the explanatory
focus replaced its initial descriptive motive; only a century ago descriptive geomorphology was known as "orography" or "hydrography" (Tricart, 1965). The Americans McGee
and Powell were probably the first authors to use the term "geomorphology" during the
decade of the 1880s (Hart, 1986).
2. History of climatic geomorphology
2.1. Geomorphology before the second half of the 19th century
The origins of geomorphology, as with many other scientific disciplines, are unclear and
the first observations and interpretations came from the philosophers of ancient Greece.
An extensive and detailed analysis of that primary epoch can be consulted in the excellent
treatise of Chorley et al. (1964). Although the term "geomorphology" was not coined then,
the first ideas and fundamentals were developed in concert with other intrinsic
observations of the natural world.
As Holmes (1965) pointed out, in spite of the important advances in mathematics and
the astronomy made by Greek philosophers, they considered natural phenomena to be
powerful manifestations of their ancient gods or myths. In fact, many of the natural
phenomena were personifications of the diverse aspects of nature (Poseidon, Zeus, Pluto,
etc.). These beliefs had a considerable bearing on the development of geomorphologic
theories until the 18th century (the teleological period of Chorley (1978)).
Nevertheless, in spite of the common conviction regarding the divinity of natural
phenomena, some of the philosophers set aside this framework. Thales of Miletus (624565 BC) considered natural processes as usual facts that could be understood by
observation and logical approach. Likewise, Anaxagoras (500-428 BC) pointed out that
the Earth revolutions were so slow, when compared with human life, that they go
unnoticed by humans (Cailleux, 1961). This same philosopher indicated that water was
elevated by the Sun and came back to the Earth's surface as rain. Plato (429-347 BC)
imagined that all the rivers came from, and returned to, a huge cavern of water inside the
Earth (Adams, 1938). This theory was possibly based upon field observations of the karstic
landscape of Greece. Aristotle (348-322 BC) also developed excellent ideas on
geomorphology, such as the hydrological cycle and the theory of relief development
due to fiver incision.
As indicated by Cailleux (1961) and Ellenberger (1988), almost all of the deductions
by the Romans about the natural world were based upon Greek theories. This fact can be
inferred from the Natural History of Pliny (23-79 BC), which constituted a summary
of Greek theories, superstitions and conjectures mixed together (Cailleux, 1961).
Consequently, scientific advances were scarce during the Roman period.
This generalized hiatus in science lasted until the 16th century, and was also manifest in
the development of geomorphology. During this millennium and a half, the ancient Greek