‘As geomorphology is the study of the surface of the Earth, its form, evolution and the processes that sculpture it, so applied geomorphology can be defined as the application of this knowledge in the resolution of engineering, planning and environmental/resource management problems’ (Jones (1983) Quart. J. Engineering Geol. & Hydrogeol. 16, 3). ‘The social relevance of geomorphology’ (anon., U. Victoria, Canada). See P. Fookes et al., eds (2005).