Climatic geomorphology
7
however, are not only constrained to the periglacial climatic belt, but they can actually
extend into other climatic zones as well. In consequence, at present this term holds a
broader application than in its initial use (Thorn, 1992). At the same time the concept of
solifluction was introduced by Andersson (1906), who also considered the climatic
characteristics and morphologic features of these cold zones. Numerous investigations
were also carried out in the expanses of Siberia by Russian scientists, but these went
largely unnoticed by many European and American scientists due to language problems.
During the beginning of the 20th century, the colonization of Alaska produced the first
well-recognized advances in periglacial research (Cairnes, Capps, Eakin). In Europe, due
to the inaccessibility of the main northern territories, periglacial geomorphology
developed 30 years later (French and Karte, 1988). The first advances were mainly
related to paleogeographic and environmental reconstructions of the late Pleistocene ice
sheets in central and western Europe (i.e. Biidel, Cailleux, Dylik, Edelman, Poser, Tricart,
Troll).
The last part of the 19th century was the most active period in the early development of
desert geomorphology, mainly in the arid zones of the western United States of America
(King, 1976a,b). During different geological expeditions, Powell (1834-1918), Dutton
(1841-1912) and especially Gilbert (1843-1918) noticed a new kind of arid landscape in
which the work of water was manifest. Powell (in 1875), in his main work (Exploration of
the western Colorado River, 1875), introduced the key concept of base-level, as a
forethought to the broader ideas of peneplanation. This same author established the genetic
classification of fluvial networks as consequent, antecedent and superimposed drainages.
Dutton largely contributed to the knowledge of isostasy, but also gave us detailed
descriptions of alluvial fans, and established the earliest model of parallel retreat in the
evolution of slopes in desert zones. Gilbert was certainly the main American
geomorphologist of this epoch. His excellent reports on the Geology of the Henry
Mountains (Gilbert, 1877) and on Debris transport by overland flows (in Gilbert, 1914)
constitute relevant advances in the mechanics of fluvial processes, sediment transport,
lateral fiver erosion and pediment formation, slope development and so forth. Gilbert can
be considered to be a pioneer in surface process research. His report on the History of the
Bonneville Lake (Gilbert, 1890) is one of the classics of geomorphology. In this work
Gilbert underlined the use of ancient lake-levels and the resulting lake terraces for
understanding the origin of the present-day Great Salt Lake of the State of Utah, and as a
method that could be applied to other littoral zones. Also, he pondered the isostatic
rebound produced after the evaporation of most of the large Pleistocene pluvial lakes.
Scientific contributions from other arid zones of the world were comparatively less
important (Graf, 1988). Numerous expeditions were carried out by French scientists across
the Sahara desert. They resulted in merely descriptive works, but some of them clearly
introduced the climatic change problem (i.e. Chudeau, Hammond, Gautier, Urvoy). The
Kalahari desert was extensively described by Passarge (in 1904). The Namib desert was
analysed by Kaiser (in 1921) and Little studied part of the Arab desert in 1925. The Iranian
and Thar (India) deserts were explored in the decade of the 1870s (Blanford, Oldham).
Research on the Australian desert was focused on the age of the large erosional surfaces
and their relation to the resulting products of weathering (in Juston, 1934). After a first
descriptive period, desert research in South America began with the studies on the salt lakes
of the Atacama by Frenguelli (in 1928). Also notable was the research on La Puna carded
7
however, are not only constrained to the periglacial climatic belt, but they can actually
extend into other climatic zones as well. In consequence, at present this term holds a
broader application than in its initial use (Thorn, 1992). At the same time the concept of
solifluction was introduced by Andersson (1906), who also considered the climatic
characteristics and morphologic features of these cold zones. Numerous investigations
were also carried out in the expanses of Siberia by Russian scientists, but these went
largely unnoticed by many European and American scientists due to language problems.
During the beginning of the 20th century, the colonization of Alaska produced the first
well-recognized advances in periglacial research (Cairnes, Capps, Eakin). In Europe, due
to the inaccessibility of the main northern territories, periglacial geomorphology
developed 30 years later (French and Karte, 1988). The first advances were mainly
related to paleogeographic and environmental reconstructions of the late Pleistocene ice
sheets in central and western Europe (i.e. Biidel, Cailleux, Dylik, Edelman, Poser, Tricart,
Troll).
The last part of the 19th century was the most active period in the early development of
desert geomorphology, mainly in the arid zones of the western United States of America
(King, 1976a,b). During different geological expeditions, Powell (1834-1918), Dutton
(1841-1912) and especially Gilbert (1843-1918) noticed a new kind of arid landscape in
which the work of water was manifest. Powell (in 1875), in his main work (Exploration of
the western Colorado River, 1875), introduced the key concept of base-level, as a
forethought to the broader ideas of peneplanation. This same author established the genetic
classification of fluvial networks as consequent, antecedent and superimposed drainages.
Dutton largely contributed to the knowledge of isostasy, but also gave us detailed
descriptions of alluvial fans, and established the earliest model of parallel retreat in the
evolution of slopes in desert zones. Gilbert was certainly the main American
geomorphologist of this epoch. His excellent reports on the Geology of the Henry
Mountains (Gilbert, 1877) and on Debris transport by overland flows (in Gilbert, 1914)
constitute relevant advances in the mechanics of fluvial processes, sediment transport,
lateral fiver erosion and pediment formation, slope development and so forth. Gilbert can
be considered to be a pioneer in surface process research. His report on the History of the
Bonneville Lake (Gilbert, 1890) is one of the classics of geomorphology. In this work
Gilbert underlined the use of ancient lake-levels and the resulting lake terraces for
understanding the origin of the present-day Great Salt Lake of the State of Utah, and as a
method that could be applied to other littoral zones. Also, he pondered the isostatic
rebound produced after the evaporation of most of the large Pleistocene pluvial lakes.
Scientific contributions from other arid zones of the world were comparatively less
important (Graf, 1988). Numerous expeditions were carried out by French scientists across
the Sahara desert. They resulted in merely descriptive works, but some of them clearly
introduced the climatic change problem (i.e. Chudeau, Hammond, Gautier, Urvoy). The
Kalahari desert was extensively described by Passarge (in 1904). The Namib desert was
analysed by Kaiser (in 1921) and Little studied part of the Arab desert in 1925. The Iranian
and Thar (India) deserts were explored in the decade of the 1870s (Blanford, Oldham).
Research on the Australian desert was focused on the age of the large erosional surfaces
and their relation to the resulting products of weathering (in Juston, 1934). After a first
descriptive period, desert research in South America began with the studies on the salt lakes
of the Atacama by Frenguelli (in 1928). Also notable was the research on La Puna carded