Geomorphic Rates are of key importance in determining how and perhaps why landforms have been shaped in a specific way. We can view these rates in terms states and the respective equilibrium. The term rate refers to a change in the values of a specific variable being measured. Rates can be viewed in a graphical representation to demonstrate change.
It is important to understand these rates so they can be efficiently applied to geomorphic landforms. Rates can either be slow or fast. For example, a slow rate of glacial movement may indicate a relatively stable climate while fast rates may show periods of great climatic change.
Several timeframes of rates can be examined. These include static, steady state, dynamic, decay and dynamic metastable equilibriums. In a static equilibrium, an event is monitored over a short period known as steady time (1day) where virtually no change occurs. The next equilibrium, steady state, happens over graded time (100 - 1000 yrs) and shows signs of some change. It isn't until we look at the dynamic equilibrium that change is really evident. This happens over cyclic time or 1000 to 1 million years. In a decay equilibrium, the rate change begins to fall off and very little happens after a certain point.
In the dynamic metastable equilibrium, not only is change evident, but there are obvious thresholds as well. Thresholds are those events, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, that cause rapid change in the environment.
Geomorphic systems are self-regulating. They are controlled by what is referred to as negative and positive feedbacks. Negative feedbacks can cause systems to decrease over time or maintain its current state of equilibrium. Positive feedbacks increase the state of the system and enhances the processes in effect. In other words, a positive feedback can create a "snowball" effect that can lead the system into a new equilibrium state.
Systems are very important concepts in Geomorphology. They can give us defination and reason to how landforms were created.