Quaternary Geology
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
To provide students with a basic and scientifically up-to-date knowledge of the methodological aspects and content related to the history of the climate on the planet over the last two million years (the Quaternary), highlighting both natural and anthropogenic aspects, and to provide useful knowledge for numerous application fields that require concepts about the climate change of the Quaternary period (environmental protection, geomorphological and archaeological risk assessment).
Expected learning outcomes
The student will acquire knowledge about the climate change that occurred during the Quaternary period and will be able to understand the terms of the current debate on the causes of global warming, as well as the role of human activity in this context, and apply them to the study of environmental and archaeological contexts.
Lesson period: Second 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
Second semester
Course syllabus
Introduction and fundamentals
General introduction and topic preview. The Quaternary as geological period of glacial-interglacial cycles. Methods of investigation: basic principles of geology and the proxy concept. Water cycle, delta O18, oceanic and glacial cores - the MIS. Milankovitch cycles, feedback concept, albedo, greenhouse effect, sunspots and cosmic rays
Geomorphology as a proxy
Processes and forms: Principles, processes/agents, structural geomorphology and volcanism; glaciers, glacial valleys, erratic boulders, gelivation; moraine amphitheatres, varved glaciolacustrine deposits, loess; rivers, conoids, terraces, base level concept, canyon formation; coastlines, cliffs, lagoons, isostatic/eustatic adjustments; genesis of caves and clastic deposits, karst, speleothems record; hot arid environments, concept of Biorhexistasy, soils.
Geopedology and Palaeopedology
Soil: definitions and constituents. Soil profiles and horizons and their characteristics. Pedogenetic processes. Factors of soil development. Soils and time. Paleosols: analytical methods, dating and case studies.
Late Quaternary and the Homo
High-resolution periods: the last glacial maximum, exit from MIS 2 and entry into the Holocene. Role of glacial-interglacial cycles in the migrations of the Homo. Holocene innovations: from scattered groups to settled communities, the Neolithic revolution, towards the modern era.
General introduction and topic preview. The Quaternary as geological period of glacial-interglacial cycles. Methods of investigation: basic principles of geology and the proxy concept. Water cycle, delta O18, oceanic and glacial cores - the MIS. Milankovitch cycles, feedback concept, albedo, greenhouse effect, sunspots and cosmic rays
Geomorphology as a proxy
Processes and forms: Principles, processes/agents, structural geomorphology and volcanism; glaciers, glacial valleys, erratic boulders, gelivation; moraine amphitheatres, varved glaciolacustrine deposits, loess; rivers, conoids, terraces, base level concept, canyon formation; coastlines, cliffs, lagoons, isostatic/eustatic adjustments; genesis of caves and clastic deposits, karst, speleothems record; hot arid environments, concept of Biorhexistasy, soils.
Geopedology and Palaeopedology
Soil: definitions and constituents. Soil profiles and horizons and their characteristics. Pedogenetic processes. Factors of soil development. Soils and time. Paleosols: analytical methods, dating and case studies.
Late Quaternary and the Homo
High-resolution periods: the last glacial maximum, exit from MIS 2 and entry into the Holocene. Role of glacial-interglacial cycles in the migrations of the Homo. Holocene innovations: from scattered groups to settled communities, the Neolithic revolution, towards the modern era.
Prerequisites for admission
To follow this course profitably, knowledge of the basic concepts of Earth sciences is recommended.
Teaching methods
Lectures - traditional dispensing.
Teaching Resources
Anderson, Goudie & Parker (2013). Global Environments through the Quaternary: Exploring Environmental Change. 2°Edition, Oxford University Press.
Dramis & Ollier (2016). Genesi ed evoluzione del rilievo terrestre. Fondamenti di geomorfologia. Pitagora Editrice Bologna.
Ruddiman (2014). Earth's climate. Past and future.
Cremaschi M. (2000). Manuale di Geoarcheologia. Laterza.
Dazzi C. (2013). Fondamenti di Pedologia. Le Penseur.
Retallack G.J. (2001). Soils of the past: an introduction to paleopedology. Blackwell.
Dramis & Ollier (2016). Genesi ed evoluzione del rilievo terrestre. Fondamenti di geomorfologia. Pitagora Editrice Bologna.
Ruddiman (2014). Earth's climate. Past and future.
Cremaschi M. (2000). Manuale di Geoarcheologia. Laterza.
Dazzi C. (2013). Fondamenti di Pedologia. Le Penseur.
Retallack G.J. (2001). Soils of the past: an introduction to paleopedology. Blackwell.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral discussion that encompasses topics covered in the course, with questions relating to the topics of the lectures, at the end of which a mark expressed out of thirty will be recorded. Honors will be given when the level of preparation is more than excellent. The final evaluation will consider the acquired knowledge (60%) and the ability to organize and illustrate the arguments (30%) and the expository skills (10%).
GEOS-03/A - Physical Geography and Geomorphology - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Trombino Luca
Professor(s)
Reception:
On appointment
In my office, Via Mangiagalli 34, 2nd floor, room 77