Let’s be honest: Geomorphology is the “CSI” of Geography. It’s the study of landforms and the processes that shape them. When you look at a mountain range, a winding river, or a jagged coastline, you aren’t just looking at scenery; you’re looking at a crime scene where gravity, water, ice, and internal heat have been working for millions of years.
Below is the exam paper download link
Past Paper On Geomorphology For Revision
Above is the exam paper download link
When exam season hits, the challenge isn’t just naming the features. It’s about process-form relationships. You need to be able to explain why a V-shaped valley forms in the upper course of a river or how a specific type of faulting leads to a rift valley. To help you move from “it looks like a hill” to “this is an asymmetrical drumlin,” we’ve tackled the high-stakes questions found in recent Geomorphology past papers.
The Revision Q&A: Cracking the Earth’s Code
Q: What is the ‘Davisian Cycle of Erosion’ and is it still relevant? William Morris Davis proposed that landscapes go through stages of “Youth, Maturity, and Old Age.”
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Youth: Steep slopes, V-shaped valleys, and rapid downcutting.
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Maturity: Braided streams and wider floodplains.
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Old Age: The land is worn down to a “peneplain.”
Exam Tip: While this model is classic, modern geomorphologists prefer Dynamic Equilibrium, which suggests landforms adjust to the energy available in the system rather than just “getting old.”
Q: How do ‘Exogenic’ and ‘Endogenic’ forces fight for control? This is the core of geomorphology.
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Endogenic Forces: These come from inside the Earth (tectonics, volcanism). They are the “builders” that push mountains up.
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Exogenic Forces: These come from the atmosphere and hydrosphere (weathering, erosion). They are the “sculptors” that wear mountains down. Most exam questions ask you to discuss the balance between these two forces in creating specific landscapes like the African Plateau.
Q: What are the three main types of ‘Mass Wasting’ and what triggers them? Mass wasting is the movement of rock and soil downslope due to gravity.
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Falls: Rock dropping vertically (common in mountainous areas).
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Slides: Material moving along a flat plane (like a landslide).
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Flows: Material mixed with water moving like a liquid (mudflows).
The “trigger” is often saturation with water, which reduces friction and adds weight.
Q: How do ‘Fluvial Processes’ create oxbow lakes? This is a standard diagram-based question.
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The Process: A river meanders. Erosion happens on the outer bank (cut bank) and deposition on the inner bank (point bar). Over time, the meander neck narrows until the river cuts through it during a flood, leaving a horseshoe-shaped lake behind.
Q: What is the significance of ‘Isostasy’ in mountain building? Think of the Earth’s crust like a block of wood floating in water. When a heavy glacier or mountain sits on the crust, it sinks into the mantle. When that weight is removed (erosion or melting), the crust “rebounds” upward. This is called Isostatic Recovery.
The Power of the Past Paper: Your Tactical Roadmap
You can read about “Aeolian processes” (wind) all day, but Geomorphology is a visual and technical science. You won’t know if you’ve truly mastered Glacial Geomorphology or Slope Evolution until you try to draw a cross-section of a Roche Moutonnée or identify a “nickpoint” on a river profile under a 45-minute timer.
By downloading our Geomorphology past paper, you will:
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Master the Diagrams: Practice sketching features like cirques, hanging valleys, and yardangs.
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Refine Your Logic: Learn how to link Chemical Weathering (like carbonation) to the formation of Karst landscapes.
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Spot the Trends: You’ll notice that questions on Applied Geomorphology (how landforms affect road building or dam construction) are huge in 2026.
Download Your Revision Material Here
Ready to turn your interest in the Earth into a distinction? Don’t leave your grades to “tectonic luck.” The best way to build your confidence is to tackle the mechanical and chemical puzzles that have shaped our planet for eons. Use the link below to download a curated past paper.
[Click Here to Download the Geomorphology Past Paper PDF]
A Quick Parting Tip: The ‘Base Level’ Rule
Whenever you’re asked why a river stops eroding downward and starts eroding laterally (sideways), mention the “Base Level.” This is the lowest point to which a river can erode (usually sea level). Once a river nears its base level, it loses its “downcutting” energy and starts creating floodplains. Dropping this term into an essay shows the examiner you understand the physics of the landscape!
