1. The theory of plate tectonics: This theory, which emerged in the 1960s, revolutionized our understanding of the Earth's crust. It showed that the Earth's surface is made up of large plates that are constantly moving, interacting with each other, and reshaping the landmasses above them.
2. Advances in dating techniques: Geologists developed new and more accurate techniques for determining the age of rocks and sediments. This allowed them to establish the temporal sequence of geologic events and track the evolution of landforms over time.
3. Geomorphology: The study of landforms and their evolution became a specialized field within geology. Geomorphologists conducted detailed studies of landforms, observing their characteristics, processes of formation, and changes over time.
Using these tools and insights, geologists concluded that landforms are subject to various processes of erosion, deposition, folding, faulting, and uplift. The continuous interplay of these processes shapes and reshapes the Earth's surface, resulting in the dynamic and ever-changing landscapes we see today.
