Mountains represent one of the most inspiring and attractive natural features on the surface of the earth. Visually, they dominate the landscape. However, the increasing realization of the fragility of mountain areas because of changes in land use, management and climate, combined with an understanding of their importance for water and other natural resources, has resulted in a growing interest in mountain environments in recent years. Hence, Mountain Geomorphology represents a timely and unique contribution to the literature. Written by a team of international experts, this book is divided into three sections, which consider historical, functional and applied mountain geomorphology from both global and local perspectives. Historical mountain geomorphology focuses on the evolution of landforms. Functional mountain geomorphology emphasises the interaction between processes and landforms, while applied mountain geomorphology concerns the interrelationships between geomorphological processes and society. Mountain Geomorphology is a valuable source of information for students studying mountain geomorphology, and also for academics and research scientists interested in mountain environments.

Part 1 Introduction Chapter 1 An introduction to mountain geomorphology Philip N. Owens and Olav Slaymaker Part 2 Historical Mountain Geomorphology Chapter 2 Cenozoic evolution of global mountain systems Lewis A. Owen Chapter 3 The evolution of mountains on passive continental margins Cliff Ollier Chapter 4 The evolution of the mountains of New Zealand Paul W. Williams Part 3 Functional Mountain Geomorphology Chapter 5 Processes, rates and patterns of mountain belt erosion Niels Hovius, Dimitri Lague and Simon Dadson Chapter 6 Mechanical and chemical denudation in mountain systems Nel Caine Chapter 7 Hillslope hydrology and mass movements in the Japanese Alps Yuichi Onda Chapter 8 Glacial lake outburst floods in mountain environments Helgi Björnsson Part 4 Applied Mountain Geomorphology Chapter 9 Geomorphic hazards in mountain environments Kenneth Hewitt Chapter 10 Mountain hazards in China Li Tianchi Chapter 11 Geomorphic processes and hazards on volcanic mountains Jean-Claude Thouret Part 5 Mountain Geomorphology and Global Environmental Change Chapter 12 Mountain geomorphology and global environmental change Olav Slaymaker and Philip N. Owens