The term geomorphology comes from three Greek words: geo (earth), morph (forms) and logus (science).

The term geomorphology comes from three Greek words: geo (earth), morph (forms) and logus (science).

It is, thus, the science of earth forms or land forms. It is also defined as the interpretative description of the relief features of the earth’s surface.

The word physiographic was thought to be synonymous of geomorphology and, in the early days, was included both in geology and geography courses. Geographers study this branch as a discussion of the land forms with respect to man’s environment, i.e. how much they are useful to man. Moveover, they do not give much importance on the origin of the land forms. Gradually, there has been a decline of interest among geographers in this branch.

As a result, geomorphology becomes primarily a part of geology in which the origin of the land forms are given due cognizance.