Editorial: submarine geomorphology: new views on an 'unseen' landscape

Geomorphology, one of the oldest disciplines in the geosciences, is undergoing a rebirth in the submarine environment. 2D (i.e. gridded) high-resolution bathymetry data offers exciting views of ever more of this hidden landscape, allowing a much improved understanding of both the solid Earth and Earth surface processes that shape the seabed. Such geomorphology is particularly powerful when convolved with geophysical techniques that image the sub-seafloor to form 3D studies. This journal issue promotes a vision where submarine geomorphology i) unites processes typically studied in sub-aerial geomorphology (e.g. landsliding & channel erosion) and marine geophysics (e.g. volcanism, tectonics & geodynamics) ii) strives to progress beyond purely qualitative methods and to employ quantitative approaches in analyses and iii) integrates bathymetry with other surface or subsurface data to enhance the analysis. The aim in bringing together work on the various causes and consequences of the underwater landscape is to endorse interaction and knowledge transfer between disciplines and study areas. This editorial highlights the links between submarine geomorphology, geophysics, Earth surface processes and bathymetry. Questions from the issue reviewed here include: How does the Earth melt? How does seafloor morphology affect the size of subduction earthquakes? What is the interconnection between submarinemass-wasting and tectonic environment?