Endogenic and Exogenic Geomorphic Processes

Forces that change the earth crust

These forces are divided into two
 Exogenetic : External : Affects from Outside
o Weathering, Erosion, Transportation,Deposition
 Endogenitic : Internal : Forces Orginating in Interior
o Eg: Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Landslides

Endogenic Processes

 The energy that originated from the earth is the primary source of the endogenic
geomorphic process

 This energy is produced by radioactivity, rotational and tidal friction. And also by primordial
heat produced from the origin of the earth

 Endogenetuc Forces are divided into two

 Sudden Endogenetic Forces

 Diastrophic Forces

 Endogenic forces are also affected by crustal thickness and strength. These changes make
the endogenic forces not static

 Sudden Endogenetic Forces

 Long Period Preparation & Quick and Sudden Cumulative Effect

 Examples : Earthquakes & Volcanoes

 Diastrophic Forces
 Operate Very Slowly & Effects are seen thousands or Millions of Years after
  Constructive Forces affecting Large Areas
 Examples : Mountains, Plateau, Plains etc

Diastrophism
All the processes that move, upraise, or develop a portion of the earth’s crust come under
diastrophism. They are divided into two

 Epirogenetic Forces – Vertical Forces

 Orogenetic Forces – Horizontal Forces
 Epirogenetic Forces
 Vertical Forces
 Upliftment or Subsidences of Continental Masses
 Radial Movement
 Affects Large Areas
 Orogenetic Forces
 Horizontal Movement
 Tangential Forces
 Opposite Direction or Towards Each Other
 Orogenic processes in which mountains are built by numerous folds. It
affects the long and narrow belts of the earth’s crust
 Orogenetic forces can be Tension Forces & Compression Forces
 Tension Forces can create Block Mountains & Rift Valleys. Also called Horst
Mountains
 Compression Forces create Fold Mountains :
 Himalayas : Created by collision of Indo Australian & Eurasion
Mountains
 Rocky Mountains : North America: Between Canada & USA: Mussoorie
River flows from it
 Alps Mountains: Europe : Italy, France, Switzerland, Austria : African &
European Plates
 Andes Mountains: South America : Pacific & South American:
Amazon: All South America countries except Brazil ,
Paraguay ,Uruguay
 Atlas Mountains: Africa : African Plate & European Plate
Volcanism
 Volcanism, also known as Volcanism or volcanicity, is the eruption of molten rock (magma)
onto the surface of the Earth or a solid-surface planet or moon, where lava, pyroclastics, and
volcanic gases erupt from a crack in the surface known as a vent

 It involves the movement of molten rock(magma) onto the earth’s surface. Or sometimes
towards the earth’s surface. It also led to the formation of intrusive and extrusive volcanic
forms

Exogenic Processes
 Exogenic processes take their energy from the atmosphere, which is regulated by the sun’s
ultimate energy as well as gradients caused by tectonic forces

 The earth materials having slope surfaces tend to react in the exogenic process and tend to
move matter in the downslope direction

 During the chemical process, loosened bonds are placed in the middle of grains. It dissolves
the soluble minerals or cementing materials. It is one of the reasons for weathering. And also
for mass movements and erosion. The progression of stress in the earth materials is high
during the chemical process

 The two climatic elements that control the process are temperature & precipitation.

 All the exogenic geomorphic processes are commonly known by a general term called
denudation. The word denude is denoted as strip off or to uncover.

 Weathering and mass movements are the two important activities in denudation. It also
involves erosion and transport.

 Weathering

 Weathering is the mechanical disintegration and chemical degradation of rocks

caused by the activities of numerous weather and climatic variables.

 Disintegration or Decomposition of Ricks in situ by Natural Agents

 Different Types of Weathering

 Physical Weathering : Caused by Temperature, Pressure

  Exfoliation Weathering

 Chemical Weathering : Caused by Decomposition of Chemicals

 Examples

 Solution : Soluble Particles present in Earth Crust forms into solution

with water and weathered away

 Oxidation : Reacts with Oxygen and form Oxides ( Rusting)

 Carbonation : Minerals present in Earth react with Carbonate &

bicarbonate ions and weathered

 Hydration: Process of Addition of Water to the Minerals

 Hydrolysis: Minerals & Molecules Decompose amd react in such a

way that nee mineral compounds are Formed.

 Biological Weathering: Caused by Plants , Animals

 Erosion

 Removal of Rock Material and Transport it to other Areas

 Caused by Mobile Agents like Stream, Winds, Waves , Underground Water &
Glaciers

 Whereas , mass movements are characterised as processes of material erosion,

transport, and accumulation that occur on both moderate and steep slopes, due
mostly to gravitational forces.

 In climatic regions, the local variation affects different climatic elements due to altitudinal
differences, aspects variations, and the variation in the amount of insolation received by
north and south-facing slopes as compared to east and west-facing slopes.

 Other than the above factors, the difference in wind velocity, direction, kind of precipitation,
intensity, and evaporation relationship can cause changes in the geomorphic processes.

 The geomorphic change can also be caused by the change in

1. Difference in range of temperature

2. Freezing

3. Thawing frequency
 4. Depth of frost penetration

 Based on the type and structure of rocks the intensity of action of the exogenic geomorphic
process varies.

 Elements of rocks such as folds and faults, hard and soft minerals, and orientation are all
incorporated in the rocks’ structure..

 The structure also includes the inclination of the bed, permeability, impermeability, bed
planes, present and absence of joints, chemical susceptibility of the mineral constitutes.

 The rocks have different resisting power to a different process that occurs on the earth.

 Some rocks may be resistant to one process. And some are non-resistance to others.

 In different climate regions, the degree of resistance is also varied. Hence they give rise to
change in topography.

 Not only small but the effect of the exogenic geomorphic process is also slow. It may be
imperceptible in a short period.

Conclusion:

We have looked into the meanings of endogenic and exogenic processes while also mentioning
certain examples in detail. We can thus conclude that geomorphic processes include the endogenic
and exogenic forces that cause physical stresses and chemical reactions on earth materials and
cause changes in the configuration of the earth’s surface. We also looked into certain exogenic
geomorphic processes such as weathering, mass wasting, erosion, and deposition. Lastly , These
processes are influenced by natural environmental factors such as geology, temperature, vegetation,
and so on.

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