The Cycle of Erosion is a geomorphological concept describing the stages of landscape evolution due to erosion. William Morris Davis and Walther Penck proposed distinct theories on this cycle.
Table of Contents
Davis’s Cycle of Erosion
Youth Stage:
Features: High relief, steep slopes, and V-shaped valleys.
Processes: Rapid vertical erosion by rivers, minimal lateral erosion.
Landforms: Waterfalls, rapids, deep valleys.
Mature Stage:
Features: Moderate relief, broader valleys, and well-integrated drainage systems.
Processes: Balance between vertical and lateral erosion.
Landforms: Meanders, floodplains, rounded hills.
Old Stage:
Features: Low relief, extensive floodplains, and wide valleys.
Processes: Dominant lateral erosion, deposition.
Landforms: Oxbow lakes, meander scars, peneplains.
Penck’s Cycle of Erosion
Initial Stage:
Features: Gradual slopes, initial formation of valleys.
Processes: Uniform uplift, slow incision by rivers.
Landforms: Gentle valleys, initial stream networks.
Youthful Rejuvenation:
Features: Increased relief, accelerated erosion.
Processes: Accelerated uplift, steeper slopes, intense vertical erosion.
Landforms: Steep valleys, incised streams.
Mature Stage:
Features: Smoother slopes, reduced relief.
Processes: Uplift slows down, balance between uplift and erosion.
Landforms: Smooth valleys, broad floodplains.
Old Stage:
Features: Very low relief, extensive erosion and deposition.
Processes: Uplift ceases, dominant lateral erosion and deposition.
Landforms: Extensive plains, wide valleys.
Key Differences
Davis: Emphasizes the sequential stages driven by erosion with minimal tectonic influence post-initial uplift.
Penck: Focuses on continuous uplift influencing erosion, with erosion rates keeping pace with uplift rates.
Conclusion
Both theories provide a framework to understand landscape evolution, with Davis’s model focusing on erosion stages and Penck’s model emphasizing the interplay between uplift and erosion.
Understanding these cycles helps in interpreting the geomorphological history and future landscape development.
