Applied Geomorphology
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course aims at preparing the student to perform territorial analyses in relation to geomorphological hazards, of natural and anthropic origin, that may affect the territory, in different morphogenetic and morphoclimatic environments, hitting different types of vulnerable elements in the territory, and inducing the genesis of geomorphological risk scenarios
The course aims at providing the students with the tools useful for: i) detecting the main criticisms in relation to the geomorphological content; ii) defining the most suitable solutions aimed at mitigating the geomorphological risks, both natural and human induced; iii) collecting the useful information for preparing technical reports; iv) producing geomorphological thematic maps, useful for communicating data to local entities managing the territory.
The course aims at providing the students with the tools useful for: i) detecting the main criticisms in relation to the geomorphological content; ii) defining the most suitable solutions aimed at mitigating the geomorphological risks, both natural and human induced; iii) collecting the useful information for preparing technical reports; iv) producing geomorphological thematic maps, useful for communicating data to local entities managing the territory.
Expected learning outcomes
1) Recognizing landforms and the related geomorphological processes responsible for the modelling of the physical geographic landscape;
2) Identifying the predisposing, preparing and triggering factors of geomorphological processes and their relation with the bedrock;
3) Identifying the activity degree of geomorphological processes and the related hazards, the different types of exposed vulnerable elements and the geomorphological risk scenarios;
4) Identifying the most suitable solutions for the mitigation of geomorphological risk scenarios in relation to local conditions, types of process, and the response of the environment;
5) Identifying the human impact on geomorphological processes and the relation between geomorphological processes and the resources of the territory;
6) Managing a practical problem related to a specific area showing the ability of using the available tools for the analysis (scientific literature analysis, historical archives, satellite and aerial photos interpretation, thematic maps interpretations, WebGIS applications of territorial entities), and for the communication of the results (realization of geomorphological maps).
2) Identifying the predisposing, preparing and triggering factors of geomorphological processes and their relation with the bedrock;
3) Identifying the activity degree of geomorphological processes and the related hazards, the different types of exposed vulnerable elements and the geomorphological risk scenarios;
4) Identifying the most suitable solutions for the mitigation of geomorphological risk scenarios in relation to local conditions, types of process, and the response of the environment;
5) Identifying the human impact on geomorphological processes and the relation between geomorphological processes and the resources of the territory;
6) Managing a practical problem related to a specific area showing the ability of using the available tools for the analysis (scientific literature analysis, historical archives, satellite and aerial photos interpretation, thematic maps interpretations, WebGIS applications of territorial entities), and for the communication of the results (realization of geomorphological maps).
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The programme is structured with an introductory section and several sections devoted to the analysis of the geomorphological hazards characterizing different morphogenetic and morphoclimatic contexts. In the framework of each context, basic concepts of geomorphology will be refreshed, with a view to the analysis of the mitigation practices towards geomorphological risks and the related monitoring and investigation techniques most commonly used.
For each context, theory and/or exercises (please, see didactic methodologies) are planned on basic maps (geomorphological mapping), thematic maps (geomorphological hazards) and on the methodologies of investigations and dating of geomorphological processes.
The temporal distribution of the topics is not strict and it could vary according to the availability of the classrooms for the exercises.
A. GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Applied geomorphology and fields of application; geomorphological hazards, vulnerability, exposition, and risk and impact concepts; fallout of geomorphological processes on human activities and impact of human activities on geomorphological processes. The hydrological cycle for the geomorphological hazards analysis.
Fieldtrip aimed at detecting the knowledge and the approach of each student respect to the physical landscape reading and mapping.
B. GEOMORPHOLOGICAL PROCESSES: HAZARDS, RISKS AND IMPACTS
ELEMENTS OF MORPHONEOTECTONIC: definition and use of morphoneotectonic indicators for tectonic analyses
SUBSIDENCE AND OTHER PROCESSES RELATED TO KARST DYNAMICS
i) Hazards related to karst: subsidence and hydrological issues;
ii) Mitigation strategies of geomorphological hazards, risks and human impact in karst environments.
SOIL DYNAMIC
i) The concept of soil;
ii) Characteristics and classification of soil;
iii) Soil erosion.
HYDROGEOMORPHOLOGY
i) Water course dynamics (erosion, transport and deposition): parameters and classification according to the morphometric configuration of streams;
ii) Sediment connectivity
iii) Mitigation strategies of geomorphological hazards and risks according to the typologies of stream dynamics;
iv) Hints to Morphological Quality Index for rivers.
GRAVITY-RELATED DYNAMICS
i) Slope instabilities (definitions and causes) and classification of slope instability typologies;
ii) Mitigation strategies of geomorphological hazards and risks according to the typologies of slope instabilities.
COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS DYNAMICS RELATED TO WATER AND WIND
i) Water- and wind-related dynamics along coasts;
ii) Mitigation strategies of geomorphological hazards and risks in coastal environments.
DYNAMICS IN GLACIAL AND RECENTLY DEGLACIATED ENVIRONMENTS
i) Dynamics in glacial, proglacial and marginoglacial contexts. Focus on the transformation from glacial to deglaciated environments, and paraglacial-type dynamics;
ii) Mitigation strategies of geomorphological hazards and risks related to glacial and paraglacial dynamics;
DYNAMICS IN PERIGLACIAL ENVIRONMENTS
i) Dynamics related to permafrost;
ii) Mitigation strategies of geomorphological hazards and risks in periglacial environments.
C. GEOMORPHOLOGICAL MAPPING AND THEMATIC-APPLIED MAPS
i) Introduction to geomorphological mapping: methods, tools and symbols;
ii) Introduction to thematic mapping: geomorphological hazard maps, vulnerability and geomorphological risk maps;
iii) Practical exercises on study case related to different morphogenetic and morphoclimatic environmetns:
iv) Use of digital sources (e.g., WebGIS apps) for geomorphological mapping;
Fieldtrip to test the knowledge and abilities acquired during the lessons and the practical exercises.
For each context, theory and/or exercises (please, see didactic methodologies) are planned on basic maps (geomorphological mapping), thematic maps (geomorphological hazards) and on the methodologies of investigations and dating of geomorphological processes.
The temporal distribution of the topics is not strict and it could vary according to the availability of the classrooms for the exercises.
A. GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Applied geomorphology and fields of application; geomorphological hazards, vulnerability, exposition, and risk and impact concepts; fallout of geomorphological processes on human activities and impact of human activities on geomorphological processes. The hydrological cycle for the geomorphological hazards analysis.
Fieldtrip aimed at detecting the knowledge and the approach of each student respect to the physical landscape reading and mapping.
B. GEOMORPHOLOGICAL PROCESSES: HAZARDS, RISKS AND IMPACTS
ELEMENTS OF MORPHONEOTECTONIC: definition and use of morphoneotectonic indicators for tectonic analyses
SUBSIDENCE AND OTHER PROCESSES RELATED TO KARST DYNAMICS
i) Hazards related to karst: subsidence and hydrological issues;
ii) Mitigation strategies of geomorphological hazards, risks and human impact in karst environments.
SOIL DYNAMIC
i) The concept of soil;
ii) Characteristics and classification of soil;
iii) Soil erosion.
HYDROGEOMORPHOLOGY
i) Water course dynamics (erosion, transport and deposition): parameters and classification according to the morphometric configuration of streams;
ii) Sediment connectivity
iii) Mitigation strategies of geomorphological hazards and risks according to the typologies of stream dynamics;
iv) Hints to Morphological Quality Index for rivers.
GRAVITY-RELATED DYNAMICS
i) Slope instabilities (definitions and causes) and classification of slope instability typologies;
ii) Mitigation strategies of geomorphological hazards and risks according to the typologies of slope instabilities.
COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS DYNAMICS RELATED TO WATER AND WIND
i) Water- and wind-related dynamics along coasts;
ii) Mitigation strategies of geomorphological hazards and risks in coastal environments.
DYNAMICS IN GLACIAL AND RECENTLY DEGLACIATED ENVIRONMENTS
i) Dynamics in glacial, proglacial and marginoglacial contexts. Focus on the transformation from glacial to deglaciated environments, and paraglacial-type dynamics;
ii) Mitigation strategies of geomorphological hazards and risks related to glacial and paraglacial dynamics;
DYNAMICS IN PERIGLACIAL ENVIRONMENTS
i) Dynamics related to permafrost;
ii) Mitigation strategies of geomorphological hazards and risks in periglacial environments.
C. GEOMORPHOLOGICAL MAPPING AND THEMATIC-APPLIED MAPS
i) Introduction to geomorphological mapping: methods, tools and symbols;
ii) Introduction to thematic mapping: geomorphological hazard maps, vulnerability and geomorphological risk maps;
iii) Practical exercises on study case related to different morphogenetic and morphoclimatic environmetns:
iv) Use of digital sources (e.g., WebGIS apps) for geomorphological mapping;
Fieldtrip to test the knowledge and abilities acquired during the lessons and the practical exercises.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of Physical geography, Geomorphology, Geology.
Ability of reading topographic maps.
Basic knowledge of Geographical Information Systems.
Ability of reading topographic maps.
Basic knowledge of Geographical Information Systems.
Teaching methods
The course consists of frontal lessons, individual or working-group activities, including paper maps or digital maps elaboration using also the WebGIS applications of territorial entities, and, if possible, specific apps used in applied geomorphology studies. Moreover, 2 fieldtrips are organized at the beginning and at the end of the course in days to be decided.
Lectures by experts could be planned from remote using the Microsoft Teams app.
Lectures by experts could be planned from remote using the Microsoft Teams app.
Teaching Resources
Slides uploaded on the Ariel website
Scientific papers indicated and examined during lessons
Geomorphological maps retrievable through the web or through the librarian services
Students annotations
FUNDAMENTAL TEXTBOOKS (THEORY & MAPPING)
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.
Gisotti G. (2012) Il dissesto idrogeologico - Previsione, prevenzione e mitigazione del rischio. Dario Flaccovio 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.
Sauro et al. (2019) - Dalla carta topografica al paesaggio - Atlante ragionato. Global map ed.
TEXTBOOKS ON GEOMORPHOLOGY (to strengthen concepts on basic geomorphology)
Gutierrez M. (2012) Geomorphology. Cambridge Ed.
ADVANCED TEXTBOOKS
Bell Fred G. (2001) Geologia ambientale Teoria e pratica. Zanichelli Ed.
Marchetti M. (2000) Geomorfologia fluviale. Pitagora Ed. Bologna
Pranzini E. (2004) La forma delle coste. Zanichelli Ed.
Davidson-Arnott/Bauer/Houser (2020) Introduction to Coastal Processes and Geomorphology. Cambridge University Press
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 and examined during lessons
Geomorphological maps retrievable through the web or through the librarian services
Students annotations
FUNDAMENTAL TEXTBOOKS (THEORY & MAPPING)
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.
Gisotti G. (2012) Il dissesto idrogeologico - Previsione, prevenzione e mitigazione del rischio. Dario Flaccovio 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.
Sauro et al. (2019) - Dalla carta topografica al paesaggio - Atlante ragionato. Global map ed.
TEXTBOOKS ON GEOMORPHOLOGY (to strengthen concepts on basic geomorphology)
Gutierrez M. (2012) Geomorphology. Cambridge Ed.
ADVANCED TEXTBOOKS
Bell Fred G. (2001) Geologia ambientale Teoria e pratica. Zanichelli Ed.
Marchetti M. (2000) Geomorfologia fluviale. Pitagora Ed. Bologna
Pranzini E. (2004) La forma delle coste. Zanichelli Ed.
Davidson-Arnott/Bauer/Houser (2020) Introduction to Coastal Processes and Geomorphology. Cambridge University Press
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 a mandatory oral discussion starting from an original report written by the candidate, including: a geomorphological map of an area chosen by the candidate, a descriptive text considering the scientific literature regarding the area, the geomorphological features of the area as landforms and processes, their activity degree, the geomorphological hazards insisting in the area, the exposed vulnerable elements and the geomorphological risk scenarios. Additional questions will be asked to the candidate on the program of the course.
From these aspects it will be possible to verify, regarding the candidate, the ability in applying knowledge and understanding, the re-elaboration of concepts, the ability of making judgements regarding also the scientific literature at disposal, and the communication skills.
Assessment score: 18 to 30/30 of which 50% is related to the geomorphological map and the related technical report and the other 50% is related to the theory.
From these aspects it will be possible to verify, regarding the candidate, the ability in applying knowledge and understanding, the re-elaboration of concepts, the ability of making judgements regarding also the scientific literature at disposal, and the communication skills.
Assessment score: 18 to 30/30 of which 50% is related to the geomorphological map and the related technical report and the other 50% is related to the theory.
GEO/04 - PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY - University credits: 6
Field activity: 12 hours
Laboratories: 6 hours
Lessons: 36 hours
Laboratories: 6 hours
Lessons: 36 hours
Professor:
Bollati Irene Maria
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Upon appointment arranged through e-mail
Room 54 or 59, First Floor