# Presentation: 709280

## Slide 1

## Geomorphic Description System

*(GDS)*

## Objectives

- The participant will be able to: -	Understand the structure and purpose of the Geomorphic Description System (GDS)-	To define Landscapes, Landforms, Microfeatures, and their relationships to associated Parent Materials (deposits).-	Successfully complete quizzes / exercises-	Actively apply gained knowledge on field trips.

## The “5-minute” Geomorph. Class :  

**The “5-minute” Geomorph. Class :****  **
***Everything you wanted to know ***
***(and some things that maybe you didn’t) !***

**by Scott Adams**

## Geomorphology

- How do we describe (& record) points and areas on the earth’s surface?
***Verbally :***  many ways ( *informal, involves arm waving* )
***Programmatically :***	*(NASIS, etc.)*
**Landscape **
**Landform **
**Microfeatures **
**Anthropogenic Features **
**Morphometric Descriptors**  ( *aspect, slope, etc.* )
**Geomorphic Components**  ( *head slope, etc*.)

## ?

- Who does not have adequate terms to describe their areas? :
- Landscape
- Landform
- Microfeature
- What else can you do?
- Give up
- Resort to morphometric descriptors or pieces
- Find / coin new terms

##  We don’t know  everything 

-  We don’t know  everything
-        ( y*et *).
-  We don’t always see the answer in front of us.

## Source Materials / Options

- Reference list   ( *handout *)
- Summary tables   ( *Field Book *)
- Soil Geomorphology Institute
- GDS & NSSH, Part 629 *( glossary )*
- Glossary Geology, 5th Ed.   				*( Neuendorf, et al., 2005 )*
- Literature   ( *locally specific info. *)

## Basics  ( or are they? )

- Geography
- Landforms  (GDS)
- Pieces Parts  (GDS)
- Hillslope profile position
- Geomorphic components

## Geomorphic  Description  System

***Geomorphic  Description  System***
***Version 4.11******6 / 02 / 2008***

***NATURAL  RESOURCES  CONSERVATION  SERVICE ***
***USDA***

## Geomorphic Description System  (GDS)

- Official :  Version  4.0    ( May / 2007 )
- Field Book for Describing / Sampling Soils, *v. 2.0*
- NSSH - Part 629  ( *last modified May,2007; NSSH Amendment  # 12 *)
- Draft :    Version  4.11    ( 6 / 02 / 2008 )

## Significant Changes

- Major changes:
- Subaqueous Features
- Some Changes:
- Microfeatures
- Anthropogenic Features
- Minor changes:
- ( *throughout *)

***PT.:  Check for changes***

## GDS

*** ****** ******PART I****** :  PHYSIOGRAPHIC  LOCATION******  ******( where? )***
***	******	******	******	******( geography )***

*** ******PART II :****** GEOMORPHIC  DESCRIPTION***** *****( what? )***
***	******	******	******	******	******	******              ******( how? )***
***	******	******( Landform, Geom. Process )***

**  *****PART IlI :****** SURFACE  MORPHOMETRY*****   *****( pieces )***
***	******	******	******( Parts, Misc. )***

## GDS

**	****A)   PHYSIOGRAPHIC  DIVISION**
**	****B)   PHYSIOGRAPHIC  PROVINCE**
**	****C)   PHYSIOGRAPHIC  SECTION**
**	****D)   STATE  PHYSIOGRAPHIC  LOCATION**
**	****E)   LOCAL  PHYSIO.  /  GEOGRAPH.  NAME**

***PART I :  PHYSIOGRAPHIC  LOCATION***

***( Fenneman )***

## Physiographic Map legend is complete in :	
		GDS, 
		Field Book for Describing  &         			Sampling Soils, 
		NASIS 

- 		GDS,
- 		*Field Book for Describing  &         **	**	**	**Sampling Soils*,
- 		NASIS

## Slide 16

## A)   PHYSIOGRAHIC  DIVISION:		INTERIOR  PLAINS

**A)   PHYSIOGRAHIC  DIVISION:****	****	*****INTERIOR  PLAINS***
**            ****B)   PHYSIOGRAPHIC  PROVINCE:****   *****12.  CENTRAL  LOWLAND  PROVINCE***
**	****           ****C*** ***)   PHYSIOGRAPHIC  SECTION**** ***      ****e)  Dissected Till Plains***** **

## Fenneman  (mid ’30’s - 1957)

-  **( + )**
- Comprehensive, detailed work & map
- Shows hydrology network
-  **( - )**
- Coarse scale  (*1 : 7,000,000*)
- Dated  ( *Davisian format; 1950’s info*.)
- Some boundaries uncertain  (*esp. western US*)
- Doesn’t cover AK, HI, territories, etc.

## Geom. Descrip. System

- Fenneman :    Continental US only.
- Detailed map
- AK *(Wahrhaftig, 1965*),  HI, PR, etc. *(various)*  are included in GDS, but aren’t part of Fenneman’s legend.)
- Based on physiography (geol., topog., geom.)
- Alternatives ?
- Ecoregions, (USFS, BLM, etc.)
- NRCS:  2004 updated MLRA maps (CRA, etc.)

**Notes:**
 nbbb

## GDS

**	****A)   PHYSIOGRAHIC  DIVISION**
**	****B)   PHYSIOGRAPHIC  PROVINCE**
**	****C)   PHYSIOGRAPHIC  SECTION**
**	****D)   STATE  PHYSIOGRAPHIC  LOCATION**
**	****E)   LOCAL  PHYSIO.  /  GEOGRAPH.  NAME**

***PART I :  PHYSIOGRAPHIC  LOCATION***

## Slide 21

## Stop the tyranny of the Midwest !

***Stop the tyranny of the Midwest !***

## PART I :  PHYSIOGRAPHIC  LOCATION

**  *****Ex:*****  *****Southern Mississippi Valley Silty Uplands*****   ****	****vs.    *****Crowley’s Ridge***

***PART I :  PHYSIOGRAPHIC  LOCATION***

**  ****LOCAL  PHYSIO.  /  GEOGRAPH.  NAME**
**	****          *****Ex:*****    *****Big Nell Valley***

## Slide 24

## GDS

***PART I :  PHYSIOGRAPHIC  LOCATION******  ******( where? )***

***  ******PART II :****** ******GEOMORPHIC  DESCRIPTION***** *****( what? )***
***	******	******	******	******	******	******               ******( how? )***

** *****PART IlI : SURFACE  MORPHOMETRY*****   *****( pieces )***

## GDS

**	****A)   LANDSCAPE**
**	****B)   LANDFORM**
**	****	*****1)******	***_***Single***_*** Landform***  *( point data,* *single polygon )*
**	****	*****2)******	***_***Multiple***_*** Landforms***
**	****	****	****i )   Landform on a Landform*** **( nested )*
**	****	****	****ii )  Occurrence across multiple Landforms****	****	****	****       ***( e.g. OSD’s)*
**	****C)   MICROFEATURE**
**	****D)   ANTHROPOGENIC  FEATURE**

***PART Il :  GEOMORPHIC  DESCRIPTION***

## GDS

**	****A)   LANDSCAPE**
**	****B)   LANDFORM**
**	****C)   MICROFEATURE**
**	****D)   ANTHROPOGENIC FEATURE**

***PART Il :  GEOMORPHIC  DESCRIPTION***
**  ****l)  COMPREHENSIVE LISTS *******

**ll)  GEOMORPHIC ENVIRONMENTS and**
**     ****OTHER GROUPINGS LISTS**

## Let’s take a closer look at geomorphic descriptions

*Let’s take a closer look at geomorphic descriptions*

## A)  Landscapes  ( broad or unique clusters of natural, spatially associated features  - groups / assemblages )

**alluvial plain                     --**
**alluvial plain remnant      --**
**badlands  **(also Landform)**      *****BA***
**bajada  **(also Landform)**          *****BJ***
**basin                                *****BS***
**basin floor****	****                 --**
**bay [coast] **(also water body; LF)** --**
**batholith                            --**
**bolson                             *****BO***
**breaks                             *****BK***
**canyonlands                    --**
**coastal plain  **( also LF )**     *****CP***
**cockpit karst****	****                --**
**cone karst****	****                --**
**continental glacier          --**
**delta plain  **(also Landform)**    --**
**drumlin field****	****                --**
***	******	******     ******etc******.***** **

**lake plain  **(also Landform)**      --**
**lava field   ** (also Landform)**     --**
**lava plain  **( also Landform )**     *****--***
**lava plateau **(also Landform)**  *****LL***
**lowland                             --**
**marine terrace  **(also LF)**     --**
**meander belt                   --**
**mountain range              --**
**mountains                      *****MO***
**mountain system            --**
**ocean  **(water body)**               --**
**outwash plain   **(also LF)**    --**
**peninsula                        --**
**piedmont****	****              *****PI***** **
**piedmont slope****	**** --**
**plains  **(also Landform) 	 ***PL***
**plateau **(also Landform) 	***PT***** **
***	******	******	******etc******.***

## badlands - A landscape which is intricately dissected and characterized by a very fine drainage network with high drainage densities and short, steep slopes with narrow interfluves.  Badlands develop on surfaces with little or no vegetative cover, overlying unconsolidated or poorly cemented materials (clays, silts, or in some cases sandstones) sometimes with soluble minerals such as gypsum or halite.  GG 

*NSSH, Part 629** :  Glossary of Landforms and Geologic Terms*

## badlands - A landscape which is intricately dissected and characterized by a very fine drainage network with high drainage densities and short, steep slopes with narrow interfluves.  Badlands develop on surfaces with little or no vegetative cover, overlying unconsolidated or poorly cemented materials (clays, silts, or in some cases sandstones) sometimes with soluble minerals such as gypsum or halite.  GG 

***badlands**** - **A landscape which is intricately dissected and characterized by a very fine drainage network with high drainage densities and short, steep slopes with narrow interfluves.  Badlands develop on surfaces with little or no vegetative cover, overlying unconsolidated or poorly cemented materials (clays, silts, or in some cases sandstones) sometimes with soluble minerals such as gypsum or halite.  *_*GG*_* *

- (Little) Painted Desert County Park, AZ

*Schoeneberger*

## Are these Badlands?

*H. LaGarry*

- western  NE

*Are these Badlands?*

## A)  Landscapes  ( broad or unique clusters of natural, spatially associated features )

- alluvial plain                 --
- alluvial plain remnant   --
- badlands                     *BA*
- bajada  (also Landform)   *BJ*
- basin                           *BS*
- batholith                       --
- bolson                         *BO*
- breaks                         *BK*
- canyonlands                --
- coastal plain  ( also LF )    *CP*
- cockpit karst	          --
- continental glacier       --
- delta plain  (also LF )       --
- drumlin field	          --
- dune field	          --
- fan piedmont	          *FP*
*	**	**     **etc**.*

- lava plain  ( also LF )             *--*
- lava plateau** **(also Landform)    *LL*
- lowland                             --
- marine terrace                  --
- meander belt                    --
- mountain range                --
- mountains                       *MO*
- mountain system              --
- outwash plain (also Landform) --
- peninsula                          --
- piedmont		  *PI*
- piedmont slope		  --
- plains  ( also LF )	  	 *PL*
- plateau  (also LF )	  *PT*
- rift valley		   --
- river valley		  *RV*
*	**	**	**etc**.*

## volcanic field  – A more or less well-defined area that is covered with volcanic rocks of much more diverse lithology than a lava field, or that is so modified by age and erosion that its original topographic configuration, composition and extent are uncertain.  Compare – lava field, lava plain. 

***NSSH – Part 629***

## volcanic field – A more or less well-defined area that is covered with volcanic rocks of much more diverse lithology than a lava field, or that is so modified by age and erosion that its original topographic configuration, composition and extent are uncertain.  Compare – lava field, lava plain.

**volcanic field** – A more or less well-defined area that is covered with volcanic rocks of much more diverse lithology than a lava field, or that is so modified by age and erosion that its original topographic configuration, composition and extent are uncertain.  Compare – lava field, lava plain.

- Hopi Buttes area, AZ

## B)  Landforms  ( discrete, natural, individual earth-surface features mappable at common scales )

- a’a lava flow 		--
- alas 			*AA*
- alluvial cone 		--
- alluvial fan 		*AF*
- alluvial flat 		*AP*
- alpine glacier 		--
- anticline 		*AN*
- arete  			*AR*
- arroyo			*AY*
- ash flow		*AS*
- atoll			*AT*
- avalanche chute	*AL*
- axial stream		--
- backshore		*AZ*
- backswamp		*BS*
- bajada	( also LS )              *BJ*
-                     *etc.*

- channel** **(also Microfeature)  *CC*
- chenier                                  *CG*
- chenier plain                         *CH*
- cinder cone		       *CI*
- cirque                                    *CQ*
- cirque floor                              --
- cirque headwall                       --
- cirque platform                        --
- cliff                                         *CJ*
- climbing dune                          --
- closed depression ( also Micro )   –
- coastal plain  ( also LS )     	       *CP*
- cockpit			         --
- col			        *CL*
- collapsed ice-floored lakebed* CK*
- collapsed ice-walled lakebed* CN*
*	**	**	**etc.*

## cirque platform – A relatively level or bench-like surface formed by the coalescence of several cirques.  GG & SW 

***cirque platform****** – A relatively level or bench-like surface formed by the coalescence of several cirques.  ***_***GG***_*** & SW**** *
- NSSH Part 629

## cirque platform – A relatively level or bench-like surface formed by the coalescence of several cirques.  GG & SW 

**Landscape:  *****mountains***** ;   Landforms:  *****cirques, cirque platform, arete***   Mt Cook , NZ

***cirque platform – A relatively level or bench-like surface formed by the coalescence of several cirques.  ***_***GG***_*** & SW**** *

*( Tom Lovell )*

## C)  Microfeatures  ( discrete, natural, earth-surface features typically to small to delineate at common survey scales )

-  bar 			       --
-  channel   (also Landform)             **--**
-  closed depression  (also LF)    **--**
* *corda                   *                 --*
-  cutter                   *                 --*
-  dune slack   (also Landform)        **--**
-  earth pillar                            --
-  ephemeral stream   (also LF)     **--**
-  finger ridge                           --
-  flute   ( also LF )		*       --*
* *frost boil		       --
-  groove		     	       --
-  gully 			       --
-  hillock			       --
-  hoodoo		       --
-                       *etc.*

- interdune**  **(also Landform)                    *--*
- intermittent stream  (also LF)       --
- karren                                      *--*
- lava flow unit  also Landform)         *--*
- lava trench  (also Landform)           --
- main scarp                               --
- minor scarp                              --
- mound                                      *--*
- nivation hollow                         --
- open depression	*          --*
*patterned ground* microfeatures
-   ( see below ; used in association with the landform  “patterned ground” )
*	**	**	*
*	**	**	**etc.*

## corda – Small, tightly bunched, parallel ridges or corrugations of lava, commonly < 1 m in amplitude (high) and < 3 m in period (wide) on the surface of corded pahoehoe lava (ropy lava).    SW & GG

*NSSH, Part 629*

## corda – Small, tightly bunched, parallel ridges or corrugations of lava, commonly < 1 m in amplitude (high) and < 3 m in period (wide) on the surface of corded pahoehoe lava (ropy lava).  

**Landform: *****lava flow;  *****Microfeature: *****corda ***;  **PM: *****pahoehoe lava ***;                 Big Island, HI

*photo:  G. Brad Lewis*

***corda****** ****– Small, tightly bunched, parallel ridges or corrugations of lava, commonly < 1 m in amplitude (high) and < 3 m in period (wide) on the surface of corded pahoehoe lava (ropy lava).  *

## Microfeatures  ( discrete, natural, earth-surface features typically to small to delineate at common survey scales )-  continued  -

-  circle                             --
-  earth hummocks           *--*
-  high-center polygons    --
* *ice wedge polygons   *   --*
-  low-center polygons      *--*
-  non-sorted circles         --

- palsa (palsen = *plural*)   --
- polygons                      --
- sorted circles               --
- stripes                          --
- turf hummocks             --

- a)*  Periglacial “****patterned ground****” Microfeatures*

- b)*  Other “****patterned ground****” Microfeatures*

- bar and channel          --
- circular gilgai              *--*
- elliptical gilgai             --
- gilgai                           --

- hummocks                --
- linear gilgai               *--*
- mima mounds           --
- pimple mounds         --

##    Microfeatures  

**   ****Microfeatures****  **
***( discrete, natural, earth-surface features typically to small to delineate at common survey scales )***

***stripe**** **- A type of patterned ground; one of the alternating bands of fine and coarse surface material, or of rock or soil and vegetation-covered ground, commonly found on steeper slopes.  It is usually straight, but may be sinuous or branching.  Compare - patterned ground.  *_*GG*_
*NSSH 629** *

## stripe - A type of patterned ground; one of the alternating bands of fine and coarse surface material, or of rock or soil and vegetation-covered ground, commonly found on steeper slopes.  It is usually straight, but may be sinuous or branching.  Compare - patterned ground.

**Landform:*****  patterned ground;  *****Microfeature:***** ****stone**** stripes ****(pointing down slope)****;  ***Nunavut,*** ***CAN

*Geological Survey Canada*

***stripe**** **- A type of patterned ground; one of the alternating bands of fine and coarse surface material, or of rock or soil and vegetation-covered ground, commonly found on steeper slopes.  It is usually straight, but may be sinuous or branching.  Compare - patterned ground.*

## D)  Anthropogenic  Features  [ discrete, artificial (human-made), earth-surface features  ]

- artificial collapsed depression               --
- artificial levee              *--*
- beveled cut                  --
- borrow pit               *     --*
- burial mound          *     --*
- cut  *( road, railroad )*           --
- cutbank                       --
- ditch                                     --
- dump                           --
- fill                                --
- floodway                     --
- gravel pit                     --
- impact crater		   --
-                  *etc.*

- openpit mine		     --
- pond **  ***( human-made* )          *--*
- quarry                           --
- railroad bed                  *--*
- reclaimed land              *--*
- rice paddy                     --
- road bed                       --
- sand pit                         --
- sanitary landfill              *--*
- scalped area                 --
- sewage lagoon             --
- skid trail                        --
- spoil bank                     --
- spoil pile		     --
*	**	**	**etc.*

## openpit mine  –  A relatively large depression resulting from the excavation of material and redistribution of overburden associated with surficial mining operations.  Compare – quarry, surface mine.  SW & GG 

*NSSH 629*

## openpit mine – A relatively large depression resulting from the excavation of material and redistribution of overburden associated with surficial mining operations.  Compare – quarry, surface mine. 

**Anthropogenic Features:  *****openpit mine, spoil piles, road bed  *****;  ****	****	****	****	****	****	****	****	****           **Peabody Coal mine, Black Mesa, AZ

*Schoeneberger*

**openpit mine **– A relatively large depression resulting from the excavation of material and redistribution of overburden associated with surficial mining operations.  Compare – quarry, surface mine.

## GDS

**	****A)   LANDSCAPE**
**	****B)   LANDFORM**
**	****C)   MICROFEATURE**
**	****D)   ANTHROPOGENIC FEATURE**

***PART Il :  GEOMORPHIC  DESCRIPTION***
**   ****l )  COMPREHENSIVE LISTS**

*** ****ll )  GEOMORPHIC ENVIRONMENTS and**
**         ****OTHER GROUPINGS LISTS**

## ll )  GEOMORPHIC  ENVIRONMENTS  and

***ll )  GEOMORPHIC  ENVIRONMENTS  and***
***     ******OTHER  GROUPINGS***

**Coastal Marine & Estuarine****  *****( wave, tidal, or shallow ******	******	******	******	******	******	******  marine related )***
**Lacustrine****   *****( related to inland water bodies, non -******	******fluvial )***
**Fluvial   *****( related to concentrated channel flow )***
**4.  Solution   *****( dominated by dissolution & subsurface******	******	****** ******	******	******   drainage )***
**5.  Eolian   *****( wind dominated )***
**6.  Glacial   *****( directly related to glaciers )***
**7.  Periglacial****   *****( related to non-glacial, cold climate )***

**E**
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## ll )  GEOMORPHIC  ENVIRONMENTS  and

***ll )  GEOMORPHIC  ENVIRONMENTS  and***
***     ******OTHER  GROUPINGS***

**8.    Mass Movement             *****( gravity dominated )***
**9.    Volcanic & Hydrothermal**
**  ****Tectonic &  Structural   *****( bedrock structures,  ******	******	******	******	******	******        crustal movement )***
**  ****Slope          *****( generic slope forms, geometry, arrangement ) ***
**  ****Erosional   *****( dominated by non-channel, non - perennial ******	******	******	******          water erosion ) ***
**  ****Wetlands   *****( vegetated or shallow wet areas, wet soils ) ***
**  ****Water Bodies *****( permanent water features )***
**  ****Subaqueous Features   *****( permanently underwater )***

** **
** **
** ****O**
** ****t**
** ****h**
** ****e**
** ****r**

**E**
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## COASTAL  MARINE  &  ESTUARINE  ( wave or tidal control , 					    or near-shore , shallow marine )

***Landscapes :***

***Landforms :***

***Microfeatures :***

**bay [coastal] **( water body; also LF )**--  lagoon [coast] ****	****             --     **
**coastal plain      ****	****           --         lowland       ****	****	****             --     **
**estuary **(water body; also LF) **--****	**          **marine terrace  **(also LF)**             ****--**
**fluviomarine terrace     --****	****        peninsula****	****	****             --**
**island   **( also LF )**                 ****--         shore complex****	****             --**

**atoll                               ***AT***        headland  **( also LS )**                *****HE***
**back-barrier beach       --****	****        island  **(also LS)	                **--**
**back-barrier flat****	****           --****	****        lagoon**   **[relict]****	****               *****WI***
**backshore                    ***AZ**** *****       lagoon  **( water body )**                 ***--*
**bar****	****	****         ***BR***        longshore bar****	****            ***--***    **
**barrier beach               ***BB***        mangrove swamp ****	****            ***--*
**barrier cove****	****          --****	****       marine lake****	****	****            --**
***	******      ****etc.**	**	**	**                  etc.*

**ripple mark                   --        swash zone                            --**
**shoreline                      --**

## washover-fan flat  -  A gently sloping, fan-like, subaqueous landform created by overwash from storm surges that transports sediment from the seaward side to the landward side of a barrier island (GG).  Sediment is carried through temporary overwash channels that cut through the dune complex on the barrier spit (Fisher and Simpson, 1979; Boothroyd et al., 1985; Davis, 1994) and spill out onto the lagoon-side platform where they coalesce to form a broad belt.  Also called storm-surge platform flat (Boothroyd et al., 1985) and washover fan apron (GG).  Compare – washover fan slope.  SSS 

***( NSSH, Part 629 )***

## back-barrier flats

**back-barrier flats**

**washover fan flat**

**Soil Survey of the Outer Banks – NC, 1977**
**	****       ***(provisional)*

**beach**

**washover channels**

## 2.  LACUSTRINE   ( related to inland water bodies )

***Landscapes :***

***Landforms :***

***Microfeatures :***

**bay [coast] ****( water body; ****	****       ****lake plain****  ****( also LF )**** ****	****           --     **
-    also LF)		          --	      **peninsula **** ****	****	****              ****--**
**island****  (also LF)****	****	****       ****shore complex****	****           --**

**backshore                  ***AZ**** *****       lake plain  ****( also LS ) ****               ***LP*
**bar****	****	****       ***BR***        lake terrace****  ****[ relict ]****          ***LT*
**barrier beach             ***BB**	**      ***longshore bar [relict]***          LR*
**barrier flat                  ***BF***         mud flat  ****	****	****         *****MF***
**barrier island             ***BI***          oxbow lake  ****(ephemeral)****         *****OL***
**bay [coast]  **(water body; 	**      playa****	****	****         *****PL***** **
-    also LS) 		          --	      **playa floor    ****( also Micro )        **** --**
**beach                         ***BE***         playa rim      ****( also Micro )          ****--**
***	******     ****etc.   **	**	** **	**	**etc.****  ***

**bar                               --          shoreline                                --playa floor                  --          strandline                               --               playa rim                     --          swash zone                            --****	**
**	****     ***etc.**	**	**	**	**etc.*

## Landscape:  lake plain;  Landforms:  lakebed (relict); meanders;   glacial Lake Agassiz, 						           Letellier, Manitoba, CAN

**Landscape:  *****lake plain;  *****Landforms:  *****lakebed***** **(relict)**; *****meanders*****;**   glacial Lake Agassiz, 						           Letellier, Manitoba, CAN

*GSC #2002-686*

## 3.  FLUVIAL   ( dominated related to concentrated water flow (channel flow) ; includes erosional and depositional features; excludes glaciofluvial and permanent water bodies )

***Landscapes :***

***Landforms :***

***Microfeatures :***

**alluvial plain            --             delta plain                                 --     **
**alluvial plain remnant   --       fan piedmont                           ***FP***     **
**badlands                 ***BA***            meander belt                           ***MB*
**bajada                      ***BJ***            river valley **** ( also LF )     ***                ****--***
***               ****etc.        **	**	**etc.*

**alluvial cone           ***--***             flood-plain playa                     ***FY*
**alluvial fan             ***AF***            flood-plain splay                    ***FM*
**alluvial flat             ***AP***            flood-plain step                      ***FO***    **
**arroyo                     --              giant ripple                             ***GC*
*	**etc.**	**	**	**etc.    *meanders

**bar                           --            gully                                          --**
**bar & channel         --            intermittent stream                  --**
**channel                   --            ripple mark                               --**
**	***etc.**	**	**	**etc.*

## Landscape:  lake plain;  Landforms:  meanders, lakebed (relict);   glacial Lake Agassiz, 						           	        Letellier, Manitoba, CAN

**Landscape:  *****lake plain;  *****Landforms:  *****meanders, lakebed***** **(relict);   glacial Lake Agassiz, 						           	        Letellier, Manitoba, CAN

*( GSC# 2002-686 )*

## 4.  SOLUTION  ( dominated by dissolution & subsurface drainage )

***Landscapes :***

***Landforms :***

***Microfeatures :***

**cockpit karst         --                kegel karst                                --     **
**Cone karst             --                sinkhole karst                           --     **
**fluviokarst             --                thermokarst                              --**
**	***etc.**	**	**	**etc.*

**blind valley           ***VB***              pinnacle                                    --**
**cockpit                   --                sinkhole                                    --**
**collapse sinkhole  --                solution sinkhole                     --    **
**interior valley         --               swallow hole                             --**
**karst cone              --               thermokarst depression           --**
**karst tower             --                     ***( also Microfeature )*
**karst valley             --               yardang ***( also Microfeature )****   ******	******--***
***	******etc.******	******	******	******etc.***

**cutter                      --               ****solution pipe****                              --**
**karren                     --               thermokarst depression            --**
**solution corridor   --               yardang  *****( also Microfeature )*****   --**
**solution fissure     --               yardang trough *****( also Micro. )  --***

## solution pipe  –  A subsurface, vertical, cylindrical or cone-shaped hole, formed by dissolution in soluble bedrock (e.g. limestone) and often without surface expression, that is filled with detrital material (e.g. soil) and which serves as a bypass route for internal water flow.  SW & GG

*NSSH, Part 629*

## solution pipe – A subsurface, vertical, cylindrical or cone-shaped hole, formed by dissolution in soluble bedrock (e.g. limestone) and often without surface expression, that is filled with detrital material (e.g. soil) and which serves as a bypass route for internal water flow.

***solution pipe ****– A subsurface, vertical, cylindrical or cone-shaped hole, formed by dissolution in soluble bedrock (e.g. limestone) and often without surface expression, that is filled with detrital material (e.g. soil) and which serves as a bypass route for internal water flow.*

**Anthropogenic Feature:  *****cutbank;*****  PM: **weathered ***limestone;***        Guam

***R. Gavenda***

## Anthropogenic Feature:  borrow pit ;    Microfeature:  solution pipes (in LS bedrock)   FL

**Anthropogenic Feature:  borrow pit ;    Microfeature:*****  solution pipes**** (in LS bedrock)*   FL

*( Schoeneberger )*

## 5.  EOLIAN   ( dominantly  wind related; erosional & depositional  )

***Landscapes :***

***Landforms :***

***Microfeatures :***

**dune field  **(also LF)**  --                  sand plain                                --     **
**sandhills               ***SH*

**barchan dune       ***BQ***                longitudinal dune****	****            ***--*
**blowout                   ***--***                 paha                                     ***PA*
**climbing dune       ***BY***                parabolic dune                    ***PB***   **
**deflation basin      ***DB***                parna dune                          *****PD***
**dune                      ***DU***                playa dune****	** ( also Micro. )**          --**
**dune field  **( also LS )  --**	****         sand ramp                             --**
**dune lake **(water body)** ***--***               sand sheet                           ***RX*
**dune slack **(also Micro)** --              seif dune                              ***SD*
*	**etc.**	**	**	**	**etc.*

**dune slack              --               ****shrub-coppice dune****              --**
**dune traces****	****    --****	****       slip face****	****	****            --**
**interdune                --               yardang        **( also LF )**              --**
**playa dune              --               yardang trough  **( also LF )       **--**
**playette   ****	****    --               zibar                                        --**

## Landscape: intermontane basin;  Landform:  basin floor;  Microfeature: shrub-coppice dune    PM:  parna						            Tohatchi Flats, NM 

**Landscape: *****intermontane basin*****;  Landform:  *****basin floor*****;  Microfeature: *****shrub-coppice dune***    **PM:  parna**						            Tohatchi Flats, NM*** ***

*Schoeneberger*

## 6.  GLACIAL  ( directly related to glaciers; includes glaciofluvial, glaciomarine, and outwash features )

***Landscapes :***

***Landforms :***

***Microfeatures :***

**continental glacier   --           ****ice-margin complex****               --     **
**drumlin  field            --           outwash plain   **( also LF )**         --     **
**glaciokarst****	****      --****	****     till plain   **( also LF )***	******          TP***
**hills                           ***HI*

**alpine glacier            *****--*****              kame                                    ***KA*
**arete                         ***AR***             kame moraine                     ***KM*
**cirque                       ***CQ ***           kame terrace                        ***KT***    **
**cirque floor               --              kettle                                    ***KE*
**cirque headwall        --              lateral moraine                    ***LM*
**cirque platform         --             **** ****medial moraine                   ***MH*
*	**etc.**	**	**	**	**etc.*

**glacial groove****	****     --****	****      roche mountonee  **( also LF)  **  --**
**flute  **( also LF )**           --             swale **** ( also LF )****                       --**
**nivation hollow       --             tarn  ****( water body; also LF )             ****-- ****        ****         --**
**pothole   **( also LF )**     --**

## Slide 65

## 6.  GLACIAL  ( directly related to glaciers; includes glaciofluvial, glaciomarine, and outwash features )

***Landscapes :***

***Landforms :***

***Microfeatures :***

**continental glacier   --           ice-margin complex               --     **
**drumlin  field            --           outwash plain   **( also LF )**         --     **
**glaciokarst****	****      --****	****     till plain   **( also LF )***	******          TP***
**hills                           ***HI*

**alpine glacier****            *****--*****              kame                                    ***KA*
**arete                         ***AR***             kame moraine                     ***KM*
**cirque                       ***CQ ***           kame terrace                        ***KT***    **
**cirque floor               --              kettle                                    ***KE*
**cirque headwall        --              lateral moraine                    ***LM*
**cirque platform         --             **** ****medial moraine                   ***MH*
*	**etc.**	**	**	**	**etc.*

**glacial groove****	****     --****	****      roche mountonee  **( also LF)  **  --**
**flute  **( also LF )**           --             swale **** ( also LF )****                       --**
**nivation hollow       --             tarn  ****( water body; also LF )             ****-- ****        ****         --**
**pothole   **( also LF )**     --**

## Slide 67

## 9.  VOLCANIC  and  HYDROTHERMAL

***Landscapes :***

***Landforms :***

***Microfeatures :***

**foothills                ***FH***             lava plateau**  ( also LF )**                  --     **
**hills                       ***HI***              mountains****	**** ****	****            ***MO***     **
**lava field               *****--*****               volcanic field  **( also LF )**               --**
**lava plain**  ( also LF )  --

**a’a’ lava flow         --              lava tube                                    --**
**ash flow                ***AS***            louderback   ***                            LU*
**block lava flow     --****	****    maar****	****	****	****             --**
**caldera****	****	****  ***CD***           mawae****	****	****            --**
**crater  **[volcanic]**   ***CR***          ***  ***neck  **[volcanic]* ***	****            --**
**diatreme                --              pahoehoe lava flow                  --**
**fissure vent          --               pillow lava flow                         --**
*	**etc.**	**	**	**etc.   *volcano

**corda                      --            spatter cone                              --**
**lava flow unit        --             spiracle                                      --**
**lava trench            --             tumulus  ( tumuli = plural )      --**
**pressure ridge [volc.]  **(also LF )** --              **

## Landscape:  bolson;  Landforms:  volcano(s) on an alluvial flat    	             Pyramid Butte, Elephant Butte, AZ

*Schoeneberger*

## 10.  TECTONIC  and  STRUCTURAL  ( related to regional and local bedrock structures, or crustal movement.   In Soil Survey, structural and tectonic features are only recognized if they have some expression at or near the land surface. )

***Landscapes :***

***Landforms :***

***Microfeatures :***

**batholith               --                mountains                               ***MO***     **
**bolson                 ***BO***               mountain system                    --     **
**fault-block mountains  --       plateau                                    ***PT*
*	**etc.**	**	**	**	**etc.*

**anticline                 ***AN***            ****hogback****                                   ***HO*
**canyon bench        --              homoclinal ridge                     --    **
**cuesta                   ***CU***             horst                                         ***HT*
**cuesta valley****	****   --              louderback                               ***LU*
**diapir                      --              meteorite crater****	****            --**
**dike****	****	****   ***DK         ***   monocline****	****	****            ***MJ*
*	**etc.**	**	**	**	**etc.*

**sand boil               --**

## hogback - A sharp-crested, symmetric (homoclinal) ridge formed by highly tilted resistant rock layers; a type of homocline produced by differential erosion of interlayered resistant and weak rocks with dips greater than about 25 o (or approximately > 45 % slopes).  Compare – homoclinal ridge, cuesta.  SW & HP 

*NSSH, part 629*

## hogback - A sharp-crested, symmetric (homoclinal) ridge formed by highly tilted resistant rock layers; a type of homocline produced by differential erosion of interlayered resistant and weak rocks with dips greater than about 25 o (or approximately > 45 % slopes).  Compare – homoclinal ridge, cuesta.  

**Landscape:  *****hills*****;   Landform: *****hogback*****  ;            ****	****         **The Hogback,** **Gallup, NM

*Schoeneberger*

***hogback - A sharp-crested, symmetric (homoclinal) ridge formed by highly tilted resistant rock layers; a type of homocline produced by differential erosion of interlayered resistant and weak rocks with dips greater than about 25 ******o****** (or approximately > 45 % slopes).  Compare – homoclinal ridge, cuesta.  ***

## Pop Quiz:  Name the landform.

**Mosquito Valley, PA**

***Pop Quiz:  Name the landform.***

**Notes:**
Structural landforms of a Ridge & Valley Physiographic unit.

## Other Groupings  ( lists based on a common theme, but not a shared geomorphic process environment ).

- Slope
- Erosional
- Depressional
- Wetlands
- Water Bodies
- Subaqueous Features

## 12. EROSIONAL  ( related dominantly to water erosion , excluding perennial, concentrated channel flow (i.e. fluvial, glaciofluvial) or eolian erosion ).

***Landscapes :***

***Landforms :***

***Microfeatures :***

**badlands             ***BA***              mountains                               ***MO*
**breaks                 ***BK***              piedmont                                 ***PI*** **
**canyonlands       --                piedmont slope                       --**
**foothills              ***FH***               plateau  **( also LF )                       *PT*
*	**etc.**	**	**	**etc.*

**ballena                 ***BL              ***paha***                                        PA ***ballon                  *** BV              ***partial ballena***                        PF ***basin floor remnant***  BD       ***peak ***  ***                            ***          PK ***beveled base        --               pediment                                 ***PE*
**canyon bench      --               plateau  **( also = Landscape )**         ***PT*
**col                        ***CL***              rock pediment                         --   **
*	**etc.**	**	**	**         etc.*

**earth pillar****            --               pinnacle                                    --**
**finger ridge           --*** ***              rib                                              --**
**	***etc.**	**	**	**         etc.*

## Landform:  escarpment;    Microfeature:  earth pillar;	PM:  colluvium	Black Mesa, AZ

**Landform:  *****escarpment*****;    Microfeature:  *****earth pillar*****;****	****PM:  *****colluvium***	Black Mesa, AZ

*Schoeneberger*

## 14.  WETLANDS   [ Related to vegetated and / or shallow wet areas, and wet soils.    Provisional list :  geologic definitions, not legalistic or regulatory usage ).

***Landscapes :***

***Landforms :***

***Microfeatures :***

**everglade ***               --*

**alas                         ***AS***             mud flat                                 ***MF*
**backswamp           ***BS***              muskeg                               **   *MX*
**bog                         ***BO***             oxbow lake  ***( ephemeral water )***  ***OL***  **
**Carolina Bay          ***CB**	**       ***peat plateau                          ***PJ*
**dune slack*** *(also Micro)*  --           ***playa   ***( intermittent water )***           ***PL*
**ephemeral stream **(also Micro)**   pocosin** 		   *        PO*
**estuary                   ***WD***            pothole ***(intermittent water; Micro)***  ***PH*
**fen                         *** FN***              raised bog                             ***RB*
*	**etc.**	**	**	**           etc.*

**dune slack  **( also LF )**  --            pothole**  *(intermittent water, also LF* ) ** --**
**ephemeral stream **( also LF )       **vernal pool**  *( seasonal water )*          **--**
**intermittent water   **(also LF )** --**

## Landscape: everglades	Landform:  cypress swamp	southern IL

**Landscape:***** *****everglades*****	*****Landform:  cypress swamp****	**southern IL

*Chris Keane*

## 16.  SUBAQUEOUS FEATURES   [ Discrete underwater features that commonly can support rooted emergent plants, and adjacent features, ordinarily found below permanent open water .  Historically, in Soil Survey Reports these underwater features have been included in the generic map unit “Water” (e.g. lake)].

***Landscapes :***

***Landforms :***

***Microfeatures :***

**bay [coast]  **(water body; also LF)**   -- ****	**** ***? ocean*  (water body)             --
- ? *gulf [coast]*  (water body)	        --	 *? sea*  (water body)	                 --
**estuary  **(water body; also LF)            **--**	 *? sound* (water body)               --
**lagoon [coast]**  (water body; also LF) **–**	 *? strait*   (water body)	--

**channel**  ( permanent water )**    --**

**barrier cove****	****                   --            mainland cove****	*****--***
**bay [coast] **(water body; also LS)  ***-- ****           ***marine lake***          *	***--***
**bay bottom****	****                   --**	     **reef****	****	****	*****WD***
**cove [coast]****	**** ****	****     --**	     **relict-tidal inlet****	****--**
- ? **dredged channel***** ***(Anthro Feature) **--      shoal****	****	****--**
**	***etc.**	**	**	**	**etc.*

## Subaqueous  Landforms 

_***Barrier Island Components***_**     ****	***( subaqueous )*

- RI

**shoal (s)**

**submerged back-barrier beach**

***Subaqueous  Landforms ***

**washover-fan slope**

**washover-fan flat**

## Subaqueous soil :  gray loamy sediment over buried organic-rich (fibric) material Naraganset Bay, RI

**Subaqueous soil :  **gray loamy sediment over buried organic-rich (fibric) material Naraganset Bay, RI

*( Schoeneberger, McVey )*

## Soil Survey of Outer Banks, NC, 1977

**Overwash-Fan Flat**

*Soil Survey of Outer Banks, NC, 1977*

## back-barrier flat

**Landscape: *****barrier island*****   ****	****Landforms: *****beach, berm, washover fan, washover fan flats***						north Core Banks Is, NC** **

- ( NC Soc Sed Geol, AGI hflzbj )

**back-barrier flat**

**tidal marsh**

**tidal marsh**

**wash-over fan flat**

**(relict) tidal channels**

**beach**

**barrier flat**

**barrier beach ridge     ***( foredune )*

**washover-fan**

## GDS

***  ******PART I :  PHYSIOGRAPHIC  LOCATION******  ******( where? )***

***  ******PART II : GEOMORPHIC  DESCRIPTION***** *****( what? )***
***	******	******	******	******	******	******               ******( how? )***

** *****  ******PART IlI :****** ******SURFACE  MORPHOMETRY*****   *****( pieces )***

## GDS

**	****A)   ELEVATION****                  ***( e.g. tree-line, bedrock formations )*
**	****B)   SLOPE  ASPECT     ***(e.g.  NW-E slopes cooler, wetter )*
**	****C)   SLOPE  GRADIENT***  (e.g. kinetic energy  wrt. sediment )*
**	****D)   SLOPE  COMPLEXITY***  (e.g. complex vs. simple )*
**	****E)   SLOPE  SHAPE***      (e.g. converging vs. diverging shapes )*

***PART Ill :  SURPHACE  MORPHOMETRY***

## GDS

**	****F)   HILLSLOPE - PROFILE  POSITION**
**	****G)   GEOMORPHIC  COMPONENTS :**
**	****	****1)   HILLS**
**	****	****2)   TERRACES ,  STEPPED  LANDFORMS**
**	****	****3)   MOUNTAINS**
**	****	****4)   FLAT PLAINS**
**	****H)   MICRORELIEF**
**	****I )****	****DRAINAGE  PATTERN**

***PART Ill :  SURPHACE  MORPHOMETRY***

## Hillslope Profile Positions (2-D)

##        Hillslope Profile Positions (2-D)

***       ******Hillslope Profile Positions (2-D)***

## Geomorph. Components - Hills (3-D)

## What’s wrong with this picture?

*Daniels et al., 1999*

***What’s wrong with this picture?***

## Daniels et al., 1999

*Daniels et al., 1999*

***Mixed terms :  Hillslope - profile position vs. ******	******	******	******    Geomorphic Components - Hills***
***Non-standard terms :***

## Geomorph. Components – Terraces , Stepped Landforms

## Landform:  flood plain			LA

*( Wysocki )*

- Landform:  flood plain			LA

## Geomorph. Components - Mountains

## Geomorphic Components – Mountains:  					mountaintop, mountainflank, mountainbase    										Clearwater Natl. Forest, Lochsa R., ID

**Geomorphic Components – Mountains:***  **	**	**	**	**	**mountaintop, mountainflank, mountainbase*    										Clearwater Natl. Forest, Lochsa R., ID

* **Schoeneberger *

## Geomorph. Components - Flat Plains

## Cautions ...

**  ****Match the geomorphic environment  **
- 	( e.g. consider all “process-appropriate” terms)
**  ****Use standard terms    **( e.g.  *bottomland *? )
**  ****Minimize the most generic terms, where**
**   ****possible    **( e.g.  *uplands* ? )
**  ****Revisit master lists regularly  **( *they change !* )
**  ****Read the definitions**
**	****	****   *****So ...***
**  ****Submit requests for changes   ***( to NSSC )*
*   ***We make house calls**

## Geomorphology

- How do we describe (record) areas or points on the landscape?
***Verbally :***		many ways  (informal)
***Programmatically :***	( = NASIS )
**Landscape **
**Landform **
**Microfeatures **
**Anthropogenic Features **
**Morphometric Descriptors  ( aspect, slope, etc. )**
**Geomorphic Components  (** head slope, etc. )

## NASIS  Geomorphic  Descriptors

*A  rise  on  a  broad  interstream  divide  on  a  marine terrace  on  a  coastal plain.*

*( Ex.  desired  description )*

## NASIS  Geomorphic  Descriptors

*A  rise  on  a  broad  interstream  divide  on  a  marine terrace  on  a  coastal plain.*

***Geomorphic Component ***
***       ******-  Flat Plains***

***Landform***

***Landform***

***Landscape***

*( Ex.  desired  description )*

## NASIS  Geomorphic  Descriptors

***Landscape :******	******coastal plain***
***Landform :******	******broad interstream divide***
***Landform :******	******marine terrace***
***Microfeature :******	******(****** ******tree-tip pit ? )***
***Anthropogenic Feature :******	******(****** ******artificial levee ? )***
***Geomorphic Component – Flat Plains :    ******rise***

*Ex.  tabular MUG  report :     ( many varieties )*

## NASIS  Geomorphic  Descriptors

*(A) shallow tree-tip pit on (an) eroded artificial levee on (a) low stream terrace on rolling uplands.*

*( Point data example )*

## NASIS  Geom. Descriptor  Conventions
  Feature     Feature     Feature     Feature   Exists On      RV   Type          Name       Modifier	   ID	       Feature ID
  ( data 			  ( “free-form“	 ( row # )       ( “on” which       (Y?)
   element )                              text )                                 Feature ID )
Landform	stream       low	      1	            2	        Y
			 terrace

Landscape	uplands     rolling	      2	            --	        --

Anthro.	artificial    eroded	      3               1               --
			 levee

Micro.           tree-tip     shallow	      4	             3	        --
			 pit 

**  ****Feature     Feature     Feature     Feature   Exists On      RV   Type          Name       Modifier****	****   ID****	****       Feature ID**
*  **( data **	**	**	**  ( “free-form“**	** ( row # )       ( “on” which       (Y?)*
*   **element )                              text )                                 Feature ID )*
**Landform****	****stream       low****	****      1****	****            2****	****        Y**
**	****	****	**** ****terrace**
**Landscape****	****uplands     rolling****	****      2****	****            --****	****        --**
**Anthro.****	****artificial    eroded****	****      3               1               --**
**	****	****	**** ****levee**
**Micro.           tree-tip     shallow****	****      4****	****             3****	****        --**
- 			 **pit**

## NASIS  Geomorphic  Descriptors

*On low stream terraces, sand dunes, escarpments, on rolling uplands.*

*( Map Unit or Component example – occurrence across  several Landforms )*

## NASIS  Geom. Descriptor  Conventions
  Feature     Feature     Feature     Feature   Exists On      RV   Type          Name       Modifier	   ID	       Feature ID
  ( data 			    ( “free-form“	  ( row # )       ( “on” which      (Y?)
   element )                              text )                                 Feature ID )
Landform	 stream        low	     1	            --	        Y
			   terrace
Landform	 dunes         sand	     2	            --	        --

Landform	 escarpments   --	     3                --               --

Landscape    uplands      rolling	     4	            --	        --	 

**  ****Feature     Feature     Feature     Feature   Exists On      RV   Type          Name       Modifier****	****   ID****	****       Feature ID**
*  **( data **	**	**	**    ( “free-form“**	**  ( row # )       ( “on” which      (Y?)*
*   **element )                              text )                                 Feature ID )*
**Landform****	**** stream        low****	****     1****	****            --****	****        Y**
**	****	****	****   ****terrace**
**Landform****	**** dunes         sand****	****     2****	****            --****	****        --**
**Landform****	**** escarpments   --****	****     3                --               --**
**	****	****	**** **
**Landscape    uplands      rolling****	****     4****	****            --****	****        --**

## “Free - form”  text  modifiers

**- ****  ****(Geomorphic)  Feature Modifier**
**-   (Parent Material)  General Modifiers**

**Good:****   ****Flexible**     (any content:  *age, color, etc*.)
**Bad:****   1)  Can’t “query**”    (e.g. computer can’t 			search for “_Pleistocene_ dunes”; no 			matches)
-              **2)  Abuse**    ( *GIGO* : bumpy aggravating 			dunes)
-              **3)  Confusion**
- 	       (Does your “low terrace” = my “low terrace” ?)

## Suggestions

***  ******Tailor GDS choices to Physiographic areas ******	******judiciously.***
***  ******Select  a basis for State Physiographic Areas ******	****** ******	****** ( CRA / Ecoregions, State Physiographic ******	******  ******	******   Map? )***
***  ******Collate soil landform models ( block diagrams,******	****** etc. ):******	******	******A)  Archive***
***     ******	******	******B)  Current***