Applied Geomorphology
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
1) to identify landforms and related processes that are responsible for the landscape shaping; 2) to analyze geomorphological hazards and risk, associated to exogenous and endogenous processes; 3) to analyze the relation between geological and geomorphological processes, natural resources and environmental impacts; 4) to deal with the applications of geomorphology related to territorial problems and different morphoclimatic contexts; 5) to acquire the ability in collecting and using geomorphological data and in realizing geomorphological maps, applied and thematic maps.
Expected learning outcomes
1) ability in identifying landforms and geomorphological processes; 2) ability in identifying the potential conditions of geomorphological hazard and geomorphological risk towards different kind of vulnerabilities (infrastructures, natural resources, tourist contexts); 4) ability in producing geomorphological maps in different morphogenetic contexts.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
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
First semester
Course syllabus
APPLIED GEOMORPHOLOGY
GENERAL INTRODUCTION: applied geomorphology and fields of application; definitions, impact of geomorphological processes on human activities and on society; influence of human activities on geomorphological processes; changes in geomorphological systems linked with resources exploitation. Contribution of applied geomorphology to environmental studies.
Concepts of geomorphological hazards, vulnerability and geomorphological risk and impact. Geomorphology and land planning. Relation between atmospheric hazards and geomorphological hazard.
Geomorphological and soil MAPPING with specific practices on different morphogenetic contexts (see specific sections) with paper-based and computer-based tools: i) reading and analysis of cartographic data, aerial photos, satellite imagery to identify landforms and processes; ii) methodology for realizing geomorhological, thematic and applied map; ii) soils mapping.
GEOMORPHOLOGICAL PROCESSES, HAZARDS, RISKS AND IMPACTS
- Surface processes: i) chemical weathering and physical disgregation, runoff and water-related erosion; ii) soil mapping and integration with geomorphological mapping; iv) the soil as a resource.
- Slopes dynamics: i) Slopes instability (definitions and causes), nomenclature of landslides portions, classification of slopes instabilities; ii) Hazards related to slopes instability features; mitigation of risk related to slopes instability through action on vulnerability; iii) Data analysis: forms for data collection; geomorphological map of slopes dynamics; thematic geomorphological maps; maps of susceptibility and slopes instability hazards.
- Water courses dynamics: i) main definitions; elements of fluvial dynamics; erosion-transport-sedimentation; planimetric configurations and fluvial landforms; sediment connectivity and methods of indexing; ii) Hazards related to fluvial dynamics; mitigation of risk related to fluvial dynamics; iii) Data analysis: forms for data collection, geomorphological and derived maps related to fluvial dynamics.
- Coasts dynamics: erosion along coasts, hazards and risk in coasts environments and defence works
- Dynamics in karst environment: geomorphological hazards, risks and impacts in karst environments (subsidence and hydrological problems)
- Subsidence: human induced and natural causes.
HAZARDS AND RISK IN DIFFERENT MORPHOCLIMATIC ENVIRONMENTS
- Dynamics of glacial and periglacial environments: i) landforms and processes of glacial environment; transition and paraglacial and periglacial dynamics respect to climate change; ii) hazards related to glacial, paraglacial and periglacial dynamics and mitigation of risk; iii) Geomorphological map in glacial and periglacial environments.
- Arid and semiarid environments: landforms, dynamics and hazards related to wind action, salts degradation, flash floods, monitoring and defence works.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF GEOMORPHOLOGY TO VOLCANIC RISK (morphological indicators); Morphoneotectonic.
HAZARD AND RISK IN RELATION WITH TOURISM
DATING METHODOLOGIES for past geomorphological hazardous events: dendrogeomorphological reconstructions.
GEOMORPHOLOGY APPLIED TO GEOMORPHOLOGICAL RESOURSES MANAGEMENT: inventory, evaluation, valorisation, legal protections; risks and impact related to their fruition; geomorphological resources thematic mapping.
ANTHROPOGEOMORPHOLOGY
GENERAL INTRODUCTION: applied geomorphology and fields of application; definitions, impact of geomorphological processes on human activities and on society; influence of human activities on geomorphological processes; changes in geomorphological systems linked with resources exploitation. Contribution of applied geomorphology to environmental studies.
Concepts of geomorphological hazards, vulnerability and geomorphological risk and impact. Geomorphology and land planning. Relation between atmospheric hazards and geomorphological hazard.
Geomorphological and soil MAPPING with specific practices on different morphogenetic contexts (see specific sections) with paper-based and computer-based tools: i) reading and analysis of cartographic data, aerial photos, satellite imagery to identify landforms and processes; ii) methodology for realizing geomorhological, thematic and applied map; ii) soils mapping.
GEOMORPHOLOGICAL PROCESSES, HAZARDS, RISKS AND IMPACTS
- Surface processes: i) chemical weathering and physical disgregation, runoff and water-related erosion; ii) soil mapping and integration with geomorphological mapping; iv) the soil as a resource.
- Slopes dynamics: i) Slopes instability (definitions and causes), nomenclature of landslides portions, classification of slopes instabilities; ii) Hazards related to slopes instability features; mitigation of risk related to slopes instability through action on vulnerability; iii) Data analysis: forms for data collection; geomorphological map of slopes dynamics; thematic geomorphological maps; maps of susceptibility and slopes instability hazards.
- Water courses dynamics: i) main definitions; elements of fluvial dynamics; erosion-transport-sedimentation; planimetric configurations and fluvial landforms; sediment connectivity and methods of indexing; ii) Hazards related to fluvial dynamics; mitigation of risk related to fluvial dynamics; iii) Data analysis: forms for data collection, geomorphological and derived maps related to fluvial dynamics.
- Coasts dynamics: erosion along coasts, hazards and risk in coasts environments and defence works
- Dynamics in karst environment: geomorphological hazards, risks and impacts in karst environments (subsidence and hydrological problems)
- Subsidence: human induced and natural causes.
HAZARDS AND RISK IN DIFFERENT MORPHOCLIMATIC ENVIRONMENTS
- Dynamics of glacial and periglacial environments: i) landforms and processes of glacial environment; transition and paraglacial and periglacial dynamics respect to climate change; ii) hazards related to glacial, paraglacial and periglacial dynamics and mitigation of risk; iii) Geomorphological map in glacial and periglacial environments.
- Arid and semiarid environments: landforms, dynamics and hazards related to wind action, salts degradation, flash floods, monitoring and defence works.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF GEOMORPHOLOGY TO VOLCANIC RISK (morphological indicators); Morphoneotectonic.
HAZARD AND RISK IN RELATION WITH TOURISM
DATING METHODOLOGIES for past geomorphological hazardous events: dendrogeomorphological reconstructions.
GEOMORPHOLOGY APPLIED TO GEOMORPHOLOGICAL RESOURSES MANAGEMENT: inventory, evaluation, valorisation, legal protections; risks and impact related to their fruition; geomorphological resources thematic mapping.
ANTHROPOGEOMORPHOLOGY
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of physical geography, geomorphology, geology. Ability of reading topographic maps. Basic knowledge of Geographical Information Systems
Teaching methods
The courses consists of frontal lessons, exercises about cartographic elaborations on paper-based and using computer-based tools.
There could be the possibility that seminaries or field escursions will be considered part of the programm.
There could be the possibility that seminaries or field escursions will be considered part of the programm.
Teaching Resources
Slides (uploaded on ARIEL)
Scientific papers indicated in lessons
Students annotation (essential)
FUNDAMENTAL TEXTBOOKS
- Alcantara, I., & Goudie, A. S. (Eds.) (2010) Geomorphological hazards and disaster prevention. Cambridge University Press.
- Panizza M. (2015) Manuale di geomorfologia applicata. Franco Angeli Ed.
- Bell Fred G. (2001) Geologia ambientale Teoria e pratica. Zanichelli Ed.
- Ciccacci S. (2019) Atlante delle forme del rilievo. Mondadori Ed.
- D'Orefice M., Graciotti R. (2015) Rilevamento geomorfologico e cartografia: realizzazione, lettura, interpretazione. Flaccovio Dario Ed.
TEXTBOOKS ON GEOMORPHOLOGY (to strenghten concepts on basic geomorphology)
- Gutierrez M. (2012) Geomorphology. Cambridge Ed.
- Summerfield M. (2015) Global geomorphology. Paperback Ed.
- Panizza M. (2014) Geomorfologia quarta edizione. Pitagora Ed.
ADVANCED TEXTBOOKS
- Pranzini E. (2004) La forma delle coste. Zanichelli Ed. (cap. 5-13)
- Marchetti M. (2000) Geomorfologia fluviale. Pitagora Ed. Bologna (cap. 9-12)
- Cremaschi M. & Rodolfi G. (1991) Il Suolo. Pedologia nelle Scienze della Terra e nella valutazione del Territorio. NIS Ed.
- Morgan R.P.C. (2005) Soil erosion and conservation. Blackwell Ed.
- Goudie A. (2006) The human impact on the natural environment: past, present, and future. Blackwell Ed.
- Costantini E.A.C. (2009) Manual of methods for soil and land evaluation. Taylor & Francis Ed.
Scientific papers indicated in lessons
Students annotation (essential)
FUNDAMENTAL TEXTBOOKS
- Alcantara, I., & Goudie, A. S. (Eds.) (2010) Geomorphological hazards and disaster prevention. Cambridge University Press.
- Panizza M. (2015) Manuale di geomorfologia applicata. Franco Angeli Ed.
- Bell Fred G. (2001) Geologia ambientale Teoria e pratica. Zanichelli Ed.
- Ciccacci S. (2019) Atlante delle forme del rilievo. Mondadori Ed.
- D'Orefice M., Graciotti R. (2015) Rilevamento geomorfologico e cartografia: realizzazione, lettura, interpretazione. Flaccovio Dario Ed.
TEXTBOOKS ON GEOMORPHOLOGY (to strenghten concepts on basic geomorphology)
- Gutierrez M. (2012) Geomorphology. Cambridge Ed.
- Summerfield M. (2015) Global geomorphology. Paperback Ed.
- Panizza M. (2014) Geomorfologia quarta edizione. Pitagora Ed.
ADVANCED TEXTBOOKS
- Pranzini E. (2004) La forma delle coste. Zanichelli Ed. (cap. 5-13)
- Marchetti M. (2000) Geomorfologia fluviale. Pitagora Ed. Bologna (cap. 9-12)
- Cremaschi M. & Rodolfi G. (1991) Il Suolo. Pedologia nelle Scienze della Terra e nella valutazione del Territorio. NIS Ed.
- Morgan R.P.C. (2005) Soil erosion and conservation. Blackwell Ed.
- Goudie A. (2006) The human impact on the natural environment: past, present, and future. Blackwell Ed.
- Costantini E.A.C. (2009) Manual of methods for soil and land evaluation. Taylor & Francis Ed.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral discussion on the topics covered during the lessons and on a written report.
The exam starts from the report (to be delivered to the professor not later than 7 days before the exam), elaborated by the candidate on a free choice area. The report must contain a geomorphological map, a description/discussion on the peculiarity of the area in terms of geomorphological processes, activity degree, geomorphological hazards, vulnerability elements and geomorphological risks scenarios.
Moreover, the ability of recognizing geomorphological elements through images will be tested.
The evaluation parameters will be the comprehension of the concetps, the correctness of contents and language, the appropriateness of language, the ability of rielaborating concepts by means of report, geomorphological map and relative discussion.
Assessment score: 18 to 30/30
The exam starts from the report (to be delivered to the professor not later than 7 days before the exam), elaborated by the candidate on a free choice area. The report must contain a geomorphological map, a description/discussion on the peculiarity of the area in terms of geomorphological processes, activity degree, geomorphological hazards, vulnerability elements and geomorphological risks scenarios.
Moreover, the ability of recognizing geomorphological elements through images will be tested.
The evaluation parameters will be the comprehension of the concetps, the correctness of contents and language, the appropriateness of language, the ability of rielaborating concepts by means of report, geomorphological map and relative discussion.
Assessment score: 18 to 30/30
GEO/04 - PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Shifts:
Professor(s)
Reception:
Upon appointment arranged through e-mail
Room 54 or 59, First Floor
Reception:
On appointment
In my office, Via Mangiagalli 34, 2nd floor, room 77