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Long-Term Pre-Quaternary Geomorphic Evolution

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Landscapes and Landforms of England and Wales

Part of the book series: World Geomorphological Landscapes ((WGLC))

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Abstract

The pre-Quaternary period in the geomorphological evolution of England and Wales is a paradox. It is within this time interval that the main traits of topography originated, including the configuration of highlands and lowlands, the presence of extensive surfaces of low relief and the drainage pattern. However, very little about the pre-Quaternary landscape development can be said with confidence, especially regarding the timing, and rather few geomorphic features can be convincingly demonstrated to date back to the Palaeogene or Neogene. In addition, several key issues such as the magnitude of erosion and the spatiotemporal relationships between geomorphic surfaces remain controversial. This chapter provides an overview of pre-Quaternary landscape evolution, combining classic themes such as planation surfaces and weathering mantles with more recent approaches such as calculation of uplift rates and depth of erosion. The Palaeogene and Neogene are better considered as periods of ongoing change during which the landscape gradually took its shape in response to tectonic and climatic forcings rather than definite ages of certain geomorphic features.

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Acknowledgements

The author is grateful to Filip Duszyński who executed some of the line diagrams accompanying this chapter.

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  1. Institute of Geography and Regional Development, University of Wrocław, pl. Uniwersytecki 1, 50-137, Wrocław, Poland

    Piotr Migoń

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  1. School of Geography and the Environment, Oxford University, Oxford, UK

    Andrew Goudie

  2. Institute of Geography and Regional Development, University of Wrocław, Wroclaw, Poland

    Piotr Migoń

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Migoń, P. (2020). Long-Term Pre-Quaternary Geomorphic Evolution. In: Goudie, A., Migoń, P. (eds) Landscapes and Landforms of England and Wales. World Geomorphological Landscapes. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-38957-4_1

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