ABSTRACT
The marked oscillations in global climate that occurred during the Quaternary led to major changes in modes and rates of operation of geomorphological processes. This chapter explains morphological mapping, using either remote or manual techniques, is the recording and depiction of individual slope elements in the landscape. 'Remote sensing' refers to the acquisition of images of the earth's surface and subsurface by instruments that can detect elements of the electromagnetic spectrum reflected or emitted by different surface materials. Remote sensing includes conventional photography using visible and non-visible light spectra, multispectral scanning systems, radar sensing, sonar signals and, more recently, laser technology. Remote sensing methods enable accurate topographic models of the earth's surface, known as digital elevation models (DEM) or digital terrain models (DTM), to be constructed. The chapter explains that reconstruction of former coastlines can therefore provide an important aid to understanding human history, not least because of the resource potential of littoral zones for prehistoric communities.
