Spatial distribution of human geomorphic activity in the United States: comparison with rivers

Bysomemeasures,theroleofhumansinshapingthelandscapeisnowgreaterthanthatofanyothergeomorphicagent.This effect varies spatially. In the United States, it is greatest in the east where population density is highest, and particularly in WestVirginiaandneighbouringstateswherecoalminingisaddedtomoregeneralearth-movingactivities.Forcomparison, rivers in the United States move less soil, and their influence is greatest in the western part of the country where steep, sparsely vegetated slopes contribute to high sediment loads. Copyright # 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.