Geomorphology and time / Геоморфология и время

Our purpose in writing this book is to examine time, one of the central themes of geomorphology, in an attempt to provide an overall framework within which to consider and compare old and new approaches to the subject. We include, therefore, in the discussion reviews of the qualitative model-building approach of the pre-1950s, the empirical, observation, process measurement and field measurement technique of the 1960s, and currently fashionable analytical modelling. We have tried to avoid a compilation of existing literature in textbook or manual style for we wanted to write about ideas and conceptual approaches. Many subjects are therefore only briefly mentioned, left unfinished or not fully explained but hopefully there is sufficient to implant an idea or stimulate thought, discussion and further reading. If the book achieves that aim we hope that the ensuing ferment will cause less cerebral damage than it inflicted on the authors.
We are most grateful to the many patient people who assisted in the production of the book. Mrs Anne Rogers and Miss Penny Roberts who typed the manuscript over and over again; the late Miss Duki Orsanic, Miss Roma Beaumont, and Mr Gordon Reynell who drew the figures; Miss Patricia Aylott who was responsible for the photographic work; and Professor J. C. Pugh who read and reconstructed the manuscript with a selfless thoroughness and sacrifice of time. Finally to Rosemary and Elizabeth who must be mad to put up with us.