ABSTRACT
Landscapes have evolved through the Tertiary and Quaternary, and often retain the imprint of former sub-aerial and marine processes. Geomorphometry has developed one branch whose objective is the identification and correlation of remnants of formerly more extensive erosional and depositional surfaces associated with these processes, in order to provide a quantitative basis for reconstructing the geomorphological history of an area. Measurement and analysis of the heights of surfaces considered discordant with geological structure first developed as an essential element of denudation chronology, which was concerned with high-level erosional surfaces of marine or sub-aerial origin. Data presentation and analysis Traditional methods of geomorphometry applicable to the identification of erosion surfaces from map data are reviewed by D. J. Clarke and A. J. Pannekoek. The former discusses hypsometric, clinographic and altimetric analyses, and concludes that the last of these, based on point samples of altitude, is the most appropriate for defining erosion levels.
