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Luminescence, Geomorphological Processes

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Encyclopedia of Scientific Dating Methods

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Definition

Geomorphology is the science that studies the origin and development of landforms and how those landforms combine to form landscapes. Landforms are shaped by geomorphological processes, many of which involve the weathering, erosion, transportation, and deposition of surface materials (rock, sediment) by gravity, ice, wind, or water. Both erosional and depositional landforms can be identified, and study objectives may include establishing (1) the initial timing of surface material movement (hence, landform age), (2) the timings of subsequent surface material movement (hence, landform development rate), and (3) the nature of surface material movement (sediment dynamics). Using a similar threefold breakdown, the focus here is on how luminescence datingcan contribute to these objectives. Luminescence dating is a family of techniques most suitable for investigating fine-grained (typically silt, sand) depositional landforms. The basic principles of luminescence dating and the...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Llandinam Building, Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales, UK

    Stephen Tooth

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  1. Stephen Tooth
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Correspondence to Stephen Tooth .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    W. Jack Rink

  2. Department of Medical Physics and Applied Radiation Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    Jeroen Thompson

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Tooth, S. (2013). Luminescence, Geomorphological Processes. In: Rink, W., Thompson, J. (eds) Encyclopedia of Scientific Dating Methods. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6326-5_98-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6326-5_98-1

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  • Online ISBN: 978-94-007-6326-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Earth and Environm. ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Earth and Environmental Sciences

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