Geophysics for Natural Risks

To provide the students with knowledge about natural risks in a probabilistic framework, above all for risks related to the dynamics of geophysical fluids and in particular to extreme atmospheric events and to diffusion of contaminants in the environment (water, air, soil). For this goal, the course unit aims at providing the students with basic knowledge on geophysical fluid dynamics (atmosphere, continental and marine hydrosphere), on thermodynamics and on geophysical techniques for the characterization and monitoring of natural risks in atmosphere (e.g.: thunderstorms, cyclones, heavy rainfall) and underground (contaminated sites).

(1) Ability to manage natural risks in a probabilistic framework, taking into account interactions between different hazard types, different contests of risk-analysis application, communication issues. (2) Ability to study scientific papers and technical reports on geophysical fluid dynamics (atmosphere, marine and continental hydrosphere) and on transport phenomena, with particular emphasis on the study of extreme events and contamination of water, air and soil. (3) Ability to analyse the results from monitoring surveys, data processing and physical-mathematical modelling for applications in risk analysis in connection with extreme events and pollution.