DIFFERENT METHODS
OF DETAILED GEOMORPHOLOGICAL MAPPING
(with coloured example)*
by
H. J. VAN DORSSER and A. I. SALOME**
Introduction
Over the past fifteen years a large number of
Systems of geomorphological mapping have
been proposed. Several of these Systems have
been analysed by a group of advanced students
in physical geography. Following this analysis
five methods were selected. Each of these
methods was used for detailed geomorpho
logical mapping of the same test area. The map
scale in each case is 1:25,00g.1
The methods used
1Method of Annaheim and Moser. This system
has been designed for mapping in Switzerland.
On a grey tone print of the topographic map,
the hydrography, the accumulation forms and
the forms of erosion and denudation are
entered in blue, green and red respectively.
Man-made features of an accumulative or
denudative nature may also be indicated in the
colours green and red respectively. Other forms
resulting from man's activities are marked in
black. The chronology of the mapped features
is indicated by the symbol.
2. Method of the Czechoslovak Academy of
Sciences (Demek). The original legend of this
method was designed for use in Czechoslovakia.
A simplified topographic map on which the
main roads and built-up areas are indicated
in black and the contour lines in brown is used
as the base map on which the accumulation
forms and the erosional and denudational
forms have been entered. Colours are used for
indicating both the map units and the chrono
logy. Other chronological data appear on the
map in letter symbols. The boundaries between
the different units are marked by black lines.
The rivers are drawn in blue. The man-made
forms are marked in black except for the
'hollow ways' which are marked in red.
3. Method of the Polish Academy of Sciences
(Klimaszewski). This method has been designed
for the detailed geomorphological mapping of
Poland. The base map as used in the example
published by Gilewska (1963) only contains
contour lines in brown. All landforms, classified,
have been divided into groups of destructional
forms and groups of constructional forms
according to a system in which a rather com-
plicated genesis is given. Colours have been
used for the chronology and tones of one colour
indicate the classes of slope. Man-made forms
are marked in black.
4. ITC-system of geomorphological survey (Ver
stappen and Van Zuidam). This has been
designed as a universal system. The base map
is a simplified topographic map printed in
grey. The same colour is used for indicating
the lithology. Contrary to the other Systems,
which are mainly based on forms of accumul
ation and erosion, this mapping system is
based on geomorphological units which are
indicated in colour. The chronology is given
by letter symbols. Rivers are mapped in blue.
All other symbols are in black. The legend of
the system is kept flexible, but in our opinion
71
We wish to express our sincere thanks to the Carto-
graphy Department of the ITC, under Professor
Ormeling, for printing the coloured maps.
Dr. H. J. van Dorsser and Dr. A. I. Salome, Geo
graphica! Institute, Utrecht State University.
K.N.A.G. Geografisch Tijdschrift VII (1973) Nr. I
