Quaternary Geomorphology in Tectonically Active Areas with Emphasis in Fluvio-Coastal Processes Emphasis Processes

Quaternary Geomorphology is the study of the Holocene and Pleistocene Epochs, based on the principle of 'Uniformitarianism' , introduced by James Hutton. Every process that takes place on the relief at present is the key for the study of the past. This is the milestone of Geomorphology. Based on this principle, many studies have been accomplished, in order to satisfy man's thirst for knowledge and his need to understand his natural environment, his home. Late Quaternary is the period of man's domination. During this geologic time span, man builds civilisation. Man's need for understanding the natural processes carving Earth's surface, in order to preserve his built environment, was early understood. The necessity for this compre-hension was major and remains in this level in tectonically active areas. They are the most active geological regions on Earth. Although they pose a challenge to modern engineering, they are also considered as the key to unlocking the geologic history that has been recorded in landforms. In the framework of the 15th Joint Geomorphological Meeting (JGM) in Athens, Greece, under the auspices of the Romanian, Italian, Belgian, French and Greek Associations of Geo-morphologists, a number of studies were announced, oriented at Quaternary Geomorphology in tectonically active areas. The most prominent contributions are documented in this volume of Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie. Our sincere gratitude goes to the Editorial Committee and especially to the Editor-in-Chief, for accepting to host these contributions in this special issue of the journal as well as to all colleagues who accepted reviewing the following papers.