文档介绍：Geomorphology 61 (2004) 1
ate/geomorph
Special Section preface
Available online 22 January 2004
Seventeen papers were presented at the symposium by some kind of rhythm of the Earth. The origin of the
on ‘‘Landslides, Debris Flows and Related Fluvial rhythm can be the result of impulsive release of
Processes’’ of the 5th International Conference on ic energy or fluctuation in ic ener-
Geomorphology which was held at Chuo University gy. Mass movements may be triggered directly by
in Tokyo in 2001. Four papers are incorporated in this precipitation and seismic activities. Mass movements
special section of ‘‘Geomorphology’’ from eight sub- as natural hazards bring about disaster where we live,
mitted papers among the presented papers. or pass through. Anthropogenic causes in many cases
Landslides and debris flows have significant may be a major factor of disaster. Explosion of human
effects in theoretical and applied geomorphology. population might bring about significant environmen-
One is the effect on the landform evolution, the other tal problems including those related to mass move-
is the cause of disaster (geomorphic harzards). Geo- ments. Disasters are the consequence of our social and
morphological studies on landslides and debris flows, economic activities. Such conditions inevitably result
therefore, involve understanding of the processes, in local differences in the viewpoint, funding and
mechanisms and geomorphic effects, and evaluation technical level in studies of hazardous geomorphic
and prediction of hazards, and mitigation of disaster. processes in different parts of the Earth. ing
One of the papers in this special section (Wassmer all these differences is asked to all geomorphologists
et al.) deals with a case of gigantic landslide which interested in geomorphic hazards.
occurred prehistorically, another (Alcantara-Ayala) This special section of Geomorphology is a small
discusses the assessment of landslides, and the other