Environmental Geology for Mountain Areas
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to guide the student to an effective understanding of studies concerning geological problems related to mountain environment issues (hazard, resources , development).
Expected learning outcomes
The student will be able to use main instruments and methods for geological hazard assessment at different scales, to undestand the importance of natural resources and their connections with sustainable development and to evaluate the environmental implications of land use. They will be able to analyze and interpret the landscape of mountainous areas, to identify agents and processes responsible for geomorphological modifications in the short and medium-term and to manage hydrogeological risks related to both natural and anthropogenic causes.
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
BASICS
- Soils and rocks, types and classification systems
LANDSLIDES
- Types, classification systems
- Susceptibility, hazard and risk (concept, mapping, case studies)
- Monitoring systems, instruments and sensors
- Early Warning Systems
- Mitigation measures and works
WATER RESOURCES
- Introduction to groundwater systems
- Mountain resources, springs
- Groundwater vulnerability
- Basics of hydrogeochemistry
- Introduction to vadose zone properties and monitoring
CLIMATE CHANGE
- Introduction to climate change
- Impacts of climate change on water resources (with case studies)
- Impacts of climate change on slope stability (with case studies)
GEOLOGY FOR LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
- Introduction to land management
- Role of the geological component in land management (including seismic microzonation)
- Soils and rocks, types and classification systems
LANDSLIDES
- Types, classification systems
- Susceptibility, hazard and risk (concept, mapping, case studies)
- Monitoring systems, instruments and sensors
- Early Warning Systems
- Mitigation measures and works
WATER RESOURCES
- Introduction to groundwater systems
- Mountain resources, springs
- Groundwater vulnerability
- Basics of hydrogeochemistry
- Introduction to vadose zone properties and monitoring
CLIMATE CHANGE
- Introduction to climate change
- Impacts of climate change on water resources (with case studies)
- Impacts of climate change on slope stability (with case studies)
GEOLOGY FOR LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
- Introduction to land management
- Role of the geological component in land management (including seismic microzonation)
Prerequisites for admission
No specific prerequisites are necessary
Teaching methods
The course will be structured in 40 hours of lectures in class (5 CFU) and 16 hours of field activities (1 CFU). Slides and videos will be used as didactic material. Besides theorethical aspects, specific case studies will be presented in order to demonstrate the practical application of the methodological approaches.
Field activities will be organized over two non-consecutive days. One day will focus on landslide hazard and risk, possibly visiting ARPA Lombardia Landslide Early Warning System in Sondrio and few landslide sites. The second day will focus on water resources, possibly visiting a mineral water facility in Valle Camonica and performing field analysis to derive hydrogeological properties of soils.
Field activities will be organized over two non-consecutive days. One day will focus on landslide hazard and risk, possibly visiting ARPA Lombardia Landslide Early Warning System in Sondrio and few landslide sites. The second day will focus on water resources, possibly visiting a mineral water facility in Valle Camonica and performing field analysis to derive hydrogeological properties of soils.
Teaching Resources
The educational material (slides, videos, scientific articles) will be shared via MyAriel platform.
Recommended textbooks:
1- Marsh WM and Kaufmann M.M. (2012). Physical geography. Large systems and global environments. Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 9780521764285
2- Gonzalez de Vallejo L. and Ferrer M. (2011). Geological engineering. C.R.C. Press. ISBN 9780415413527
3- Pipkin B.W., Trent D.D., Hazlett R. and Bierman P. (2014). Geology and Environment, 7th edition. Brooks/Col. ISBN: 9781305257122
Recommended textbooks:
1- Marsh WM and Kaufmann M.M. (2012). Physical geography. Large systems and global environments. Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 9780521764285
2- Gonzalez de Vallejo L. and Ferrer M. (2011). Geological engineering. C.R.C. Press. ISBN 9780415413527
3- Pipkin B.W., Trent D.D., Hazlett R. and Bierman P. (2014). Geology and Environment, 7th edition. Brooks/Col. ISBN: 9781305257122
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will consist in an oral test aimed at ascertaining the acquisition of a correct understanding and ability to re-elaborate the contents of the course. The exam will begin with a presentation of the student concerning either a case study or a theoretical in-depth analysis adding contents to what presented and discussed during classes. Questions regarding the presentation and other arguments presented during the course will follow, aimed at verifying the knowledge of the subject and the ability to critically analyze and explain mountain geological processes. The exam will be graded out of thirty and the final grade will take into account the accuracy and quality of the answers, as well as communication skills and the ability to analyze, judge and correlate the topics explained during the course.
GEO/05 - ENGINEERING GEOLOGY - University credits: 6
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Camera Corrado Alberto Sigfrido
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Appointment to be taken by email
Office or Microsoft Teams