Geomorphology
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
To provide students with methods for the knowledge of the landscape and its evolution in different morphogenetic and morpohclimatic environments and for mapping erosional and depositional landforms. To provide elements for the landscape reconstruction
Expected learning outcomes
(1) Ability to analyze the geomorphological landscape (2) Ability to identify the principal methods for analyzing landforms and their evolution and for dating them. (3) Ability to map landforms and to read and understand geomorphological maps.
Lesson period: Second 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
Second semester
Teaching methods
The course will be held in the second semester. If the emergency phase will continue, in compliance with the regulations, the lessons will take place remotely in both synchronous (on the ZOOM and TEAMS platforms) and asynchronous (audio lessons in .ppt, pdf of the lessons, materials made available on the Ariel website of the course and working groups.
If possible, and taking into account the availability of equipped classrooms and the students' opinions, some lessons could be held in the presence and also in the field.
The synchronous lessons will allow students to maintain a direct contact with the teachers and give the opportunity to have clarifications on the topics covered. A forum will also be organized on the Ariel website of the course to facilitate interaction among students and teachers, which can be contacted via email, too. All the information regarding the organization of the course, the synchronous and asynchronous lessons, the hours dedicated to question time, as well as any other updates will be provided on the Ariel website of the course.
Program and reference materials
The program and the reference material will not change with respect to what is indicated in the syllabus.
Exam and evaluation criteria
As indicated in the syllabus of the course, the exam consists in an oral discussion on the contents of the lessons. Information regarding the exam (in the presence, in compliance with the regulations or remotely, through ZOOM or TEAMS platforms) is made available on the Ariel website of the course. The evaluation criteria will not change and are those reported in the syllabus.
The course will be held in the second semester. If the emergency phase will continue, in compliance with the regulations, the lessons will take place remotely in both synchronous (on the ZOOM and TEAMS platforms) and asynchronous (audio lessons in .ppt, pdf of the lessons, materials made available on the Ariel website of the course and working groups.
If possible, and taking into account the availability of equipped classrooms and the students' opinions, some lessons could be held in the presence and also in the field.
The synchronous lessons will allow students to maintain a direct contact with the teachers and give the opportunity to have clarifications on the topics covered. A forum will also be organized on the Ariel website of the course to facilitate interaction among students and teachers, which can be contacted via email, too. All the information regarding the organization of the course, the synchronous and asynchronous lessons, the hours dedicated to question time, as well as any other updates will be provided on the Ariel website of the course.
Program and reference materials
The program and the reference material will not change with respect to what is indicated in the syllabus.
Exam and evaluation criteria
As indicated in the syllabus of the course, the exam consists in an oral discussion on the contents of the lessons. Information regarding the exam (in the presence, in compliance with the regulations or remotely, through ZOOM or TEAMS platforms) is made available on the Ariel website of the course. The evaluation criteria will not change and are those reported in the syllabus.
Course syllabus
Section A
Geomorphology: definitions, general concepts, history of geomorphology; Methods and tecniques in geomorphology; dating methods; spatial and time scale of geomorphic processes.
Structural geomorphology: landforms and landscapes, cuestas, hogback, flatiron, etc. Fault scarps and their evolution.
Tectonic geomorphology: morphological evidences, fluvial systems and tectonic.
Volcanic geomorphology: Volcanic landforms and landscapes in relations with volcanic activity and products.
Weathering and landforms,
Karst geomorphology: epigean landforms (karren, sinkhole, uvala, polje, etc..) and ipogean landscapes. Relict karst.
Slope morphology: mass wasting and landforms
Fluvial geomorphology: fluvial systems, drainage pattern, river basins ad catchment, riverbeds. Erosional and depositional landforms (phototes, alluvial fan, plains, river terraces etc.)
Aeolic geomorpholgy: landforms from wind erosion and deposition, dunes and loess
Coast geomorphology: classification, sea level changes and coast evolution, geomorphology of different coast typology.
Section B Climatic geomorphology
Morphoclimatic zones
Glacial geomorphology: glacier typology, glacial processes, supraglacial landforms, erosional landforms at different spatial scale, (striae etc, roches moutonnée, cirques and glacial valleys, regional glacial landscape); depositional landforms: moraines, drumlins, esker etc), fluvioglacial landforms.
Periglacial geomorphology: periglacial processes, permafrost, river and wind action, slope evolution, rock glaciers, nivation, termokarst.
Geomorphology in arid and desertic regions: desert landscapes and landforms, slope evolution in arid regions, pediments, playas etc.
Geomorpholgy in tropical regions: processes and landforms, inselberg.
Climatic changes and their effects in sensitive environments (glacial, periglacial, iperarid and desertic environments).
Section C
Geomorphological maps: general concepts, legends, geomorphic maps analysis and mapping.
Anthropic geomorphology: principles, anthropic landforms and landscapes, urban geomorphology.
Geomorphology: definitions, general concepts, history of geomorphology; Methods and tecniques in geomorphology; dating methods; spatial and time scale of geomorphic processes.
Structural geomorphology: landforms and landscapes, cuestas, hogback, flatiron, etc. Fault scarps and their evolution.
Tectonic geomorphology: morphological evidences, fluvial systems and tectonic.
Volcanic geomorphology: Volcanic landforms and landscapes in relations with volcanic activity and products.
Weathering and landforms,
Karst geomorphology: epigean landforms (karren, sinkhole, uvala, polje, etc..) and ipogean landscapes. Relict karst.
Slope morphology: mass wasting and landforms
Fluvial geomorphology: fluvial systems, drainage pattern, river basins ad catchment, riverbeds. Erosional and depositional landforms (phototes, alluvial fan, plains, river terraces etc.)
Aeolic geomorpholgy: landforms from wind erosion and deposition, dunes and loess
Coast geomorphology: classification, sea level changes and coast evolution, geomorphology of different coast typology.
Section B Climatic geomorphology
Morphoclimatic zones
Glacial geomorphology: glacier typology, glacial processes, supraglacial landforms, erosional landforms at different spatial scale, (striae etc, roches moutonnée, cirques and glacial valleys, regional glacial landscape); depositional landforms: moraines, drumlins, esker etc), fluvioglacial landforms.
Periglacial geomorphology: periglacial processes, permafrost, river and wind action, slope evolution, rock glaciers, nivation, termokarst.
Geomorphology in arid and desertic regions: desert landscapes and landforms, slope evolution in arid regions, pediments, playas etc.
Geomorpholgy in tropical regions: processes and landforms, inselberg.
Climatic changes and their effects in sensitive environments (glacial, periglacial, iperarid and desertic environments).
Section C
Geomorphological maps: general concepts, legends, geomorphic maps analysis and mapping.
Anthropic geomorphology: principles, anthropic landforms and landscapes, urban geomorphology.
Prerequisites for admission
Mandatory prerequisites are not requested; however, students must have good knowledge of Earth Sciences, especially in Physical Geography.
Teaching methods
The course will employ a variety of methods to accomplish the objectives, including some of the following:
- Lectures
- Photo and aerial photo interpretation
- Labs about mapping geomorphology
- Field work in natural and urbanized areas
- Multimedia tools
- Small groups discussions
- Individual and/or in team projects
- Exemplary study cases analysis
- Lectures
- Photo and aerial photo interpretation
- Labs about mapping geomorphology
- Field work in natural and urbanized areas
- Multimedia tools
- Small groups discussions
- Individual and/or in team projects
- Exemplary study cases analysis
Teaching Resources
Slide, scientific papers, audio-video material available on the Ariel website of the course, personal notes.
Suggested textbooks:
Gutierrez M. Geomorphology CRC press
Ciccacci S. (2019) Atlante delle forme del rilievo. Mondadori Ed.
Lavagna e Lucarno - Geocartografia. Guida alla lettura delle carte geotopografiche
D'Orefice M., Graciotti R. (2015) Rilevamento geomorfologico e cartografia: realizzazione, lettura, interpretazione. Flaccovio Dario Ed.
Suggested textbooks:
Gutierrez M. Geomorphology CRC press
Ciccacci S. (2019) Atlante delle forme del rilievo. Mondadori Ed.
Lavagna e Lucarno - Geocartografia. Guida alla lettura delle carte geotopografiche
D'Orefice M., Graciotti R. (2015) Rilevamento geomorfologico e cartografia: realizzazione, lettura, interpretazione. Flaccovio Dario Ed.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists in a discussion on:
a) Questions on the theoretical section presented during frontal lessons; recognition of the morphological elements of the landscape from ground or on aerial photos.
b) Cartography - Questions on the theoretical section presented during frontal lessons; recognition of morphological elements on maps and graphic representation of landscape elements with the appropriate symbols.
During the exam, the basic notions of Geomorphology may be verified, especially in relation to the topic chosen by the student.
The exam aims to:
- assess the ability to "read" the geomorphological landscape
- assess the ability to relate the landforms and the processes that shaped them
- assess the ability to read a geomorphological map and the ability to represent landforms with appropriate symbols.
The evaluation will consider also the use of proper language and clearness of the exposition.
Final grading, expressed over 30, will consider the evaluation of the different components above described.
More detailed information, even on the type (virtual or in presence) and on times of the exams, will be inserted in the Ariel platform and will be provided during the lessons.
a) Questions on the theoretical section presented during frontal lessons; recognition of the morphological elements of the landscape from ground or on aerial photos.
b) Cartography - Questions on the theoretical section presented during frontal lessons; recognition of morphological elements on maps and graphic representation of landscape elements with the appropriate symbols.
During the exam, the basic notions of Geomorphology may be verified, especially in relation to the topic chosen by the student.
The exam aims to:
- assess the ability to "read" the geomorphological landscape
- assess the ability to relate the landforms and the processes that shaped them
- assess the ability to read a geomorphological map and the ability to represent landforms with appropriate symbols.
The evaluation will consider also the use of proper language and clearness of the exposition.
Final grading, expressed over 30, will consider the evaluation of the different components above described.
More detailed information, even on the type (virtual or in presence) and on times of the exams, will be inserted in the Ariel platform and will be provided during the lessons.
GEO/04 - PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Upon appointment arranged through e-mail
Room 54 or 59, First Floor