Geomorphological Landscapes, Earth Surface Processes and Landforms in Norway

Abstract

Mainland Norway stands for a great variety of partly spectacular landscapes with these landscapes being a function of geological and geomorphological processes working over very long time spans. Building on the large body of existing literature on the long-term geological and Quaternary geological development of the Norwegian landscape, the purpose of this book is to provide the first compilation of selected review works and geomorphological in-depth studies on relevant geomorphological earth surface processes and the resulting modification of existing and/or creation of new landforms. The book shall contribute to filling a still existing gap regarding the in-depth understanding of Holocene, and particularly of contemporary geomorphological earth surface processes and how these processes change existing landscapes and landforms and/or create new landforms. The review works and geomorphological in-depth studies selected for this book cover a range of varied geomorphological key landscapes, earth surface processes and landforms in mainland Norway. An improved scientific in-depth understanding of the key drivers, mechanisms, spatiotemporal variability and quantitative rates of contemporary geomorphological earth surface processes and of their resulting landforms and/or landscape and landform changes is of utmost importance with respect to urgently needed qualified assessments of the possible geomorphological effects of ongoing and accelerated environmental changes and in view of the increasing importance of the efficient development of geo-hazard assessment applications. Also, the status and value of geomorphological heritage are addressed with selected examples from different key landscapes of mainland Norway.