5. Endogenic and Exogenic Forces

The earth’s crust is dynamic which has moved and moves vertically and horizontally. It is being continuously subjected to external forces induced basically by sunlight as well as by internal forces caused by events occurring inside the earth. The external forces are known as exogenic forces and the internal forces are known as endogenic forces. The variations in the relief over the earth surface remain as long as the opposing actions of exogenic and endogenic forces continue. The net resultant of these forces shape the landforms across the earth’s surface. We can divide landforms into two basic categories – initial landforms and sequential. The initial landforms are produced by endogenic forces. These initial landforms are modified and shaped by the exogenic forces with simultaneous application of endogenic forces.