Technology and geomorphology: Are improvements in data collection techniques transforming geomorphic science?

Journal article

In recent years technological developments have revolutionized our ability to collect data in geomorphology. Enhanced data collection not only enables us to provide deeper answers to a wider range of fundamental questions about the Earth's surface, but also encourages us to pose new questions. This paper considers in more detail the relationships between science, technology and the development of geomorphological tools and techniques, reviews the spectrum of tools and techniques now available to geomorphologists, and critically assesses what impact ‘new technologies’ are having on geomorphology. It focuses on the role of technology in biogeomorphology and weathering research, and how it is advancing theoretical, empirical and applied dimensions of these growing sub-fields of geomorphology. Five areas of important technological development are reviewed: remote sensing, dating, geophysical techniques, field and laboratory based analysis and sensing of physical and chemical characteristics, and field and laboratory based analysis of biological properties. There is good evidence that, taken together, technological developments are revolutionizing geomorphology through opening the doors to better cross-scalar investigations, blurring the boundaries between laboratory, field and computer model, and facilitating cross-disciplinary and democratized research.

Authors: Viles, H

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Journal: Geomorphology
• Volume: 270
• Pages: 121-133
• Publication date: 2016-10-01
• Acceptance date: 2016-07-07
• DOI: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2016.07.011
• ISSN: 0169-555X
• Keywords: sensors; UAV; molecular taxonomy; field methods; geophysics; remote sensing; geogenomics