BULLETIN OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 



Vol. 28, pp. 515-542, PLS. 34-35 SEPTEMBER 21, 1917 



GEOLOGIC AND PHYSIOGEAPHIC INFLUENCES IN THE 

 PHILIPPINES ^ 



BY WARREN D. SJMITH 



{Bead hefore the Society August 5, 1915) 



CONTENTS 



I'age 



Introduction 515 



Irregular configuration of tlie archipelago 520 



Development and arrangenient of mountains 522 



Proximity of mountains to sea and coastal plains 525 



Intermontane plains • • 526 



River sj^stems 526 



Lakes 529 



Human response to physiographic conditions 533 



Landslips 537 



Location and growth of cities 537 



Influence of geologic environment on natives 539 



Coral reefs 540 



Temperament of the natives 541 



Climate and sunlight 541 



Effect of modern improvements 542 



NTlfODlK'/IMON 



From time to liiue .scattered alJiisioiis to geographic, plivsiooTaphic, and 

 geologic influences in the Philippine Islands \va\q appealed in th(^ writ- 

 ings of Quatrefages, Gannett, Hatzel, Sein[)le, and othcfs, among wliom 

 tlie writer is included; l)iit so J'ar as tlie writer is aware no article lias 

 appeared which is devoted entirely to this most interesting field of re- 

 search. The present paper is an attempt not adequately to supply the 

 demand for this information^ but simply to point ont some of the most 

 patent examples which it is hoped v.ill serve to stimulate some one on 

 the ground to follow up the subject with a comprehensive -exposition. 

 Perhaps too great a familiarity with the country — ten years spent in 



1 Manuscript received by ttie Secretary of the Society March 12, 1917. 

 Read under the title, "Physiographic Control in the Philippines. " 



(515) 



