The theory of geomorphological cycles of William Morris Davis

Abstract

Up to this day there have been no theory, which would, by undeniable facts, present and prove the whole geomorphological development of the Earth relief. The history of geomorphology is familiar with five theories of the global approach, which represent the revolutionary progress in geomorphological idea development, but none of them has given an appropriate answer, explanation or acceptable interpretation of our planet’s relief evolution. The first one, so called theory of geomorphological cycles, is connected with the name of the American geomorphologist William Morris Davis. In the framework of that theory he tried to represent the emergence and the whole evolution of the relief forms in one, for that time very progressive way, but in spite of that, during the 20th century, his theory experienced an exceptionally sharp criticism or was called into question in its entirety. In this work we shall present the essence of Davis’ theory, review and evaluate the most important critical comments. Finally, we shall try to prove that the basic idea of this great geomorphologist is still positive in the light of new knowledge of the theory of plate tectonics.