Periglacial geomorphology, by Colin K. Ballantyne, 2018. Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester. 454 pages. Paperback: price $78.00, ISBN 9781405100069.

Abstract

geomorphology witness the most notable progress within the ranks of earth science disciplines. On the one hand, this results from a more widespread exchange of information on extreme processes that affect the frozen ground and cold environments, such as rapid erosion of permafrost coastlines and/or intensified activity of periglacial processes in slope and river systems. On the other hand, the majority of predictions of climate and environmental change suggest that in most polar regions and mountainous environments, including high-altitude plateaus, there will be a reduction of both permafrost and periglacial regime that control landscape development. Another issue that promotes the recent surge in periglacial studies are investigations of the planetary surface of Mars where Earth cold-region analogues are applied to describe the mechanism of extra-terrestrial landform evolution. Finally, as a result of increased ground temperatures most of the communities living in cold regions are exposed to geohazards, including destruction of infrastructure associated with permafrost degradation. Therefore, apart from traditional scientific curiosity, the newly obtained knowledge on the development of cold region geomorphology is treated as a key to reduce socio-economic implications of a non-frozen future. The dramatic changes observed in cold region landscapes demonstrate the urgent need of education and training of young generations of experts on permafrost and periglacial processes. There is good news for both current and future students and researchers: a unique synthesis of our fundamental knowledge on periglacial environments has been recently published by Colin Kerr Ballantyne, professor emeritus of physical geography at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. The writing of the present textbook took almost seven years, but, to be honest, to summarise his knowledge and experience in cold region landscape evolution, gained over several decades of active research, is a genuine academic masterpiece! As his former student and active practitioner of the paraglaciation theory developed by him to conceptualise the diversity of geomorphic processes transforming previously glaciated landscapes, I feel privileged to add my humble comments on his ‘life-time achievement’. The first impression, after having read the book of seventeen chapters in six parts, is that it comes close to the great atmosphere during his lectures which always paid respect to the development of this research field by the ‘fathers of periglacial science’, including Łoziński, Washburn, Jahn, Pissart, Mackay, Dylik, French, Harris and Tricart (and others). They were also brimming over with field evidence and numerous examples from across cold regions and that ‘stereotypical British’ will to explore the natural world and challenge difficult questions deeply rooted in academic identities of graduates from leading Anglo-American universities. Before exploring the contents of the individual chapters, I wish to draw attention to the extensive list of references which includes essential papers published during the last century, which offer further reading to those interested in the topics selected. Limited by space and the strict economy of modern publishing, the tome has somehow managed to furnish a treasure trove of illustrations, Geologos 26, 1 (2020): 91–92 DOI: 10.2478/logos-2020-0009