Correct option is B
Albrecht Penck, a German geomorphologist, stated that the valley side slope gives a clue to the relative importance of exogenic (external) and endogenic (internal) processes. He proposed that the shape of valley slopes is influenced by the balance between these processes, where steep slopes are often a result of tectonic uplift (endogenic), and gentler slopes are shaped by erosion (exogenic).
Information Booster:
- Penck argued that valley side slopes could provide important information about the interplay of tectonic forces (endogenic processes) and surface processes like erosion (exogenic).
- He emphasized the role of tectonic uplift in shaping steep valley slopes, which would be indicative of endogenic forces at work.
- Penck’s theory helped bridge the understanding of how external and internal processes interact to shape landforms over time.
- He also contributed to the development of the “Penck’s Model,” which linked landscape evolution to the rate of erosion and tectonic movements.
- His work on morphogenesis, or landform development, showed that slope morphology could be used to determine the relative age of different landscapes.
Additional Knowledge:
- Davis: Davis’s geomorphic cycle theory is widely known, where he described landscapes evolving through a series of stages influenced by external processes like weathering and erosion. His focus was more on the complete life cycle of landforms, unlike Penck’s more specific study of slope and process interactions.
- King: King’s theories were centered around understanding landforms in terms of geological processes, particularly tectonics. He contributed to the classification of landforms, but he did not focus directly on the role of valley slope in exogenic and endogenic processes.
- Gilbert: Gilbert contributed significantly to geomorphology, particularly focusing on the role of river systems and erosion. While he understood the interplay of surface and internal processes, his theories did not specifically address valley side slopes in the context of exogenic and endogenic influences.