Geophysical applications in geomorphology

The use of geophysical techniques has become an important tool in many geomorphological studies. However, the correct handling of geophysical instruments and the subsequent processing of the data they yield, on the one hand, and the description and interpretation of geomorphological settings to which they are applied, on the other hand, are difficult tasks. Without close cooperation of geophysicists and geomorphologists, the accurate and effective use of geophysical techniques and their geophysical and geomorphological interpretation is often limited. There are many text books in both disciplines, but no single book addresses the interdisciplinary aspects of combining geophysics and geomorphology. This special volume of Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie is intended to bridge the gap between geophysics and geomorphology and to encourage a closer cooperation between researchers in both disciplines. "Geophysical Applications in Geomorphology" is a collection of 10 papers covering a wide range of different geophysical techniques and their integration into geomorphological studies. Most of these papers were originally presented at the International Workshop "Geophysical Techniques in Geomorphology" held in Bonn, Germany in February 2002 with participants (geomorphologists and geophysicists) from Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Norway. The objectives of the workshop were to present geomorphic studies demonstrating the powerful integration of geophysical techniques, to discuss and evaluate the efficiency of different geophysical techniques, give a critical overview of modelling and software tools, to demonstrate the application of different geophysical instruments, and to exchange knowledge and to stimulate research groups with similar interests. In addition to these papers, we include a CD-ROM by Karl-Josef Sandmeier which contains (i) a test version of the software package REFLEXW (programme for 2D and 3D processing and interpretation of GPR and seismic refraction/reflection data, incl. Demo-data and handbook); (ii) an introduction to the interpretation of seismic refraction data; (iii) an introduction to modelling and tomography tools, and (iv) a technical note on the use of wavefront inversion, forward modelling and tomographic interpretation tools for seismic refraction data