Book excerpt: Geomorphological landforms and processes exert a strong influence on surface engineering works, yet comparatively little information on geomorphology is available to engineers. Thoroughly revised and with an improved format, this book presents a broad view of geomorphology, examining near-surface engineering problems associated with various landscapes. Self-contained chapters contributed by leading authorities first address the major factors that control the materials, form, and processes on the Earth's surface. The second section deals with the geomorphological processes that help shape land surfaces and influence their engineering characteristics, and the final section explore environments and landscapes.