Editing Terrain (section)

== Geomorphology ==
{{main|Geomorphology}}
Geomorphology is in large part the study of the formation of terrain or topography. Terrain is formed by concurrent processes operating on the underlying [[Structural geology#Rock macro-structures|geological structures]] over [[Geologic time scale|geological time]]:
* [[Geology|Geological]] processes: migration of [[tectonic plate]]s, [[Fault (geology)|faulting]] and [[Fold (geology)|folding]], [[mountain formation]], [[volcanic eruptions]], etc.
* Erosional [[erosion#Physical processes|processes]]: [[Glacier#Glacial geology|glacial]], [[fluvial#Fluvial processes|water]], [[Aeolian processes#Wind erosion|wind]], [[weathering#Chemical weathering|chemical]] and gravitational ([[mass wasting|mass movement]]); such as [[landslide]]s, [[downhill creep]], [[Landslide classification#Flows|flows]], [[Slump (geology)|slumps]], and [[Landslide classification#Falls|rock falls]].
* [[Impact event|Extraterrestrial]]: [[meteorite]] [[impact crater|impacts]].

[[Tectonic]] processes such as [[Orogeny|orogenies]] and [[Tectonic uplift|uplifts]] cause land to be elevated, whereas erosional and [[weathering]] processes wear the land away by smoothing and reducing topographic features.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Strak |first1=V. |last2=Dominguez |first2=S. |last3=Petit |first3=C. |last4=Meyer |first4=B. |last5=Loget |first5=N. |date=2011 |title=Interaction between normal fault slip and erosion on relief evolution; insights from experimental modelling |journal=[[Tectonophysics (journal)|Tectonophysics]] |volume=513 |number=1–4 |pages=1–19 |doi=10.1016/j.tecto.2011.10.005|bibcode=2011Tectp.513....1S |url=https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00646966/file/preprint_Strak_2011.pdf }}</ref> The relationship of [[erosion and tectonics]] rarely (if ever) reaches equilibrium.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gasparini |first1=N. |last2=Bras |first2=R. |last3=Whipple |first3=K. |date=2006 |title=Numerical modeling of non–steady-state river profile evolution using a sediment-flux-dependent incision model. Special Paper |journal=[[Geological Society of America]] |volume=398 |pages=127–141 |doi=10.1130/2006.2398(08)}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Roe |first1=G. |last2=Stolar |first2=D. |last3=Willett |first3=S. |date=2006 |title=Response of a steady-state critical wedge orogen to changes in climate and tectonic forcing. Special Paper |journal=[[Geological Society of America]] |volume=398 |pages=227–239 |doi=10.1130/2005.2398(13)}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Stolar |first1=D. |last2=Willett |first2=S. |last3=Roe |first3=G. |date=2006 |title=Climatic and tectonic forcing of a critical orogen. Special Paper |journal=[[Geological Society of America]] |volume=398 |pages=241–250 |doi=10.1130/2006.2398(14)}}</ref> These processes are also codependent, however the full range of their interactions is still a topic of debate.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Wobus |first1=C. |last2=Whipple |first2=K. |last3=Kirby |first3=E. |last4=Snyder |first4=N. |last5=Johnson |first5=J. |last6=Spyropolou |first6=K. |last7=Sheehan |first7=D. |date=2006 |title=Tectonics from topography: Procedures, promise, and pitfalls. Special Paper |journal=[[Geological Society of America]] |volume=398 |pages=55–74 |doi=10.1130/2006.2398(04)}}</ref><ref>{{harvp|Hoth|Adam|Kukowski|Oncken|2006|pp=201–225}}; {{harvp|Bonnet|Malavieille|Mosar|2007}}; {{harvp|King|Herman|Guralnik|2016|pp=800–804}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=[[University of Cologne]] |title=New insights into the relationship between erosion and tectonics in the Himalayas |website=[[ScienceDaily]] |date=23 August 2016 |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160823083555.htm}}</ref>

Land surface parameters are quantitative measures of various [[morphometric]] properties of a surface. The most common examples are used to derive [[slope]] or [[Aspect (geography)|aspect]] of a terrain or curvatures at each location. These measures can also be used to derive [[Hydrology|hydrological parameters]] that reflect flow/erosion processes. [[Climate|Climatic]] parameters are based on the modelling of [[solar radiation]] or air flow.

Land surface objects, or [[landform]]s, are definite physical objects (lines, points, areas) that differ from the surrounding objects. The most typical examples airlines of [[Water divide|watershed]]s, [[stream]] patterns, [[ridge]]s, [[Fall line|break-line]]s, [[stream pool|pool]]s or borders of specific landforms.