Geomorphology deals with some of the most striking patterns of nature. Frommountain ranges and midocean ridges to river networks and sand dunes there isa whole ... » 

Geomorphology deals with some of the most striking patterns of nature. Frommountain ranges and midocean ridges to river networks and sand dunes there isa whole family of forms structures and shapes that demand rationalization aswell as mathematical description. In the various chapters of this volume manyof these patterns are explored and discussed and attempts are made to bothunravel the reasons for their very existence and to describe their dynamics inquantitative terms. Particular focus is placed on lava and mud flows ice andsnow dynamics river and coastal morphodynamics and landscape formation.Combining a pedagogical approach with uptodate reviews of forefront researchthis volume will serve both postgraduate students and lecturers in search ofadvanced textbook material and experienced researchers wishing to getacquainted with the various physical and mathematical approaches in a range ofclosely related research fields. TOCThe Language of Pattern and Form.Geophysical Aspects of NonNewtonian Fluid Mechanics. Introduction to Rheologyand Application to Geophysics. Granular Material Theories Revisited. EarthsSurface Morphology and Convection in the Mantle. Morphological Instabilitiesin Flows with Cooling Freezing or Dissolution. Shallow Lava Theory.Explosive Volcanic Eruptions. The Dynamics of Snow and Ice Masses. Responseof Italian Glaciers to Climatic Variations. Asymptotic Theories of Ice Sheetsand Ice Shelves. Iceberg Deterioration and Drift. Snow Avalanches. DenseGranular Avalanches Mathematical Description and Experimental Validation.Patterns of Dirt. Invitation to Sediment Transport. Types of Aeolian SandDunes and Their Formation. Dunes and Drumlins. Estuarine Patterns AnIntroduction to Their Morphology and Mechanics. Longshore Bars and BraggResonance. Debris Flows and Related Phenomena. Mud Flow Slow and Fast. «