Which feature is a primary focus of geomorphology?

Geomorphology is the branch of geography that specifically studies landforms and the processes that shape them over time. This field of study investigates how various natural forces, such as erosion, weathering, and tectonic activity, contribute to the creation and alteration of landforms like mountains, valleys, rivers, and deserts. By focusing on the mechanisms that drive the development and change of these physical features, geomorphology helps us understand the landscape and its evolution.

Soil composition pertains to the types of materials that make up the soil, which is more relevant to soil science than geomorphology. Water cycle dynamics involve the movement and distribution of water within the Earth's systems, which, while important, does not center solely on landforms. Weather patterns and their effects deal with meteorology and climatology, focusing on atmospheric conditions rather than the physical characteristics and processes that shape the Earth's surface. In contrast, the study of landforms and their formation processes is at the very heart of geomorphology, making it the correct focus of this question.