On the problem of the Earth's surface elementarisation

Abstract

Regarding the monograph ,,Morphodynamic analysis" by A. N. Lastochkin (Leningrad, Fredra Publishing House, 1987) the author indicates that the elementarization of the Earth's surf ace may proceed by use of morphological Criterion: point, linear and areal elements are identified as limiting landforms of various order. Genetically homogenous surf aces are also classified among elements by some authors, it should be remembered however that the notion of «genetic homogenous surf ace» is taxonomic in itself, and may refer not only to elements, but also to landforms and their groups. Morphological criteria permit to discern a certain sequence of geomorphological objects which is as follows: topographic element — landform — assemblage of landforms of various order. This morphological sequence corresponds to genetic series of the same components which present in themselves variants of homogenous surf aces differing in taxonomic order.