Geomorphology and Laboratory

A.Y. 2018/2019
10
Max ECTS
96
Overall hours
SSD
GEO/04
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
To give the basic information and scientific tools to identify and interpret landforms and to reconstruct the time and steps of surface processes triggering present-day landscapes. To teach how to identify and describe landforms in the field and onto topographic maps.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will acquire competency in the filed of Physical Geography and Geomorphology. They will learn how to identify and describe landforms and to interpret their formation processes forming linear and complex systems.
Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Geomorphology and Laboratory

Introduction: definition of Geomorphology and its relationship with Physical Geography; geomorphological processes.
Basic concepts: climate, erosion, transport, sedimentation, pedogenesis, biostasy, rhesistasy. Endogenous and exogenous processes.
Endogenous processes: morphotectonic
Structural landforms: tabular and monoclinal reliefs, bends and faults.
Weathering of rock (and soils): mechanical, chemical, physical and biologic processes; factors and processes of pedogenesis.
Slope processes: types of landslide; DSGSD
Fluvial processes: fluvial landforms and deposits; fans, alluvial plains; hydrographic net.
Glacial and periglacial (and paraglacial) landforms and deposits.
Karst processes: surface and underground karst processes, forms, and deposits.
Weathering of crystalline rocks.
Volcanic landforms.
Coastlines and coastal landforms.
Wind-related landforms and deposits and the desert environments.
Few considerations on Quaternary climate changes and their effects of landforms and deposits. Dating Quaternary landforms and deposits.
Practical: basic concepts on cartography (shape of Earth, projections, scale); interpretation of landforms on IGM and CTR topographic maps.
GEO/04 - PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY - University credits: 10
Field activity: 12 hours
Practicals: 36 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday-Friday with appointment
Via Botticelli 23 - office first floor
Reception:
Mon-Fri, 9-11.
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra "Ardito Desio", Via L. Mangiagalli 34, 20133 Milano