Generalized linear modelling (GLM) is a statistical technique used to model the relation between a response variable and a set of explanatory variables. GLM is similar to the well known multiple regression. However, GLM is a powerful technique for exploratory data analysis with many advantages over more traditional techniques. For example, GLM allows the incorporation of categorical as well as continuous response and explanatory variables in the analysis. In this paper, GLM is explained and two examples of the application of the technique in geomorphology are given. The first example involves glacier surging and the second involves landslide susceptibility. The examples demonstrate the relevance of GLM to many common problems in geomorphology.