Interaction of Tectonic and Surface Geological Processes

Both deep and surface geophysical processes play important role in development of the contemporary society. This paper discusses surface geological processes and their interaction with deep tectonic processes, such as weathering, erosion, and mountain building, formation of basins and lithospheric extension, groundwater and the hydrologic cycle, glaciation and gravitational isostasy, earthquakes and crustal deformation, volcanoes and hot-spot processes. Although the races of these geological processes, except earthquakes and volcanism, are generally slow, their results are significant. We have to adopt the view that small changes over long periods can produce grand effects on our life support system.