In the study of geomorphology, why do we primarily concentrate on processes rather than on distribution patterns by latitude?

In the study of geomorphology, processes like weathering and erosion are key to how the rocks will be sculpted by natural forces to produce interesting landforms like buttes and mesas for example. The distribution of geomorphological features like say the Amazon River by latitude is important but the process that shaped the landforms is more important as to how it got its present configuration.