88452 - MOUNTAIN GEOMORPHOLOGY

Learning outcomes

The aim of this course is to provide knowledge on process and Quaternary geomorphology, with a focus on mountain environments. The course examines aspects of sediment supply and sediment transfer, including hillslope-channel interactions, the role of hydro-meteorogical forcing on the intensity and typology geomorphic transport processes. It also deals with sediment management in the Anthropocene, including the impacts of in-channel engineering infrastructures and landcover changes. Sediment yield and sediment storage in natural and regulated systems are also discussed, as well as the role of Pleistocene glaciations on the present spatial organization of geomorphic processes and sediment fluxes. In this context, the course further examines dating landforms and constraining denudation rates at millennial time scales. The lab-based component introduces students to expert-based mapping of sediment sources and channel changes, as well as glacial and periglacial landforms on remotely-sensed images to build georeferenced databases for geo-hazard assessment. The field-based component illustrates techniques for field-based mapping, characterizing channel bed texture, as well as monitoring water and sediment fluxes. The discussion is fostered by a literature review on selected topics that will vary from year to year. Finally, analysis of data collected in the field is performed by groups of students, in peparation of a short technical report.

Course contents

The course, linked to the BEDFLOW initiative (https://site.unibo.it/bedflow/it), will be jointly taught by Francesco Brardinoni and Matteo Berti (University of Bologna), and by Marwan Hassan and David Reid (University of British Columbia).

Attendance is limited to a maximum of 12 students due to logistical and security reasons linked to the fieldwork activities scheduled for the course.

Selection of the candidates will be based on:

1 - student's grades in exams related to geomorphology, hydrology and GIS. Students who have conducted their own undergrade thesis in similar topics are particularly encouraged to apply.

2 - a short and informal interview that aims to explore student's: (i) skills in English coprehension and communcation; (ii) motivation/interest in working in fluvial geomorphology.

The short and informal interview will take place on February 5, 2020 at 2 pm in room 16 (first floor, via Zamboni 67).

Students wishing to attend the course are kindly asked to send an email message to francesco.brardinoni@unibo.it or to talk to Dr. Brardinoni in person.

The course will be offered in the form of a compact summer school: from June 4 to June 12, 2020.

TOPICS will include: sediment supply from hillslopes and in-channel sites, channel morphology, hydraulic geometry, channel bed texture, sediment transport and river management.

ACTIVITIES include lectures in class, one-day field escursion, 3-day field data collection, 2-day field data analysis and oral presentation of the results. Field activities will take place along the Sillaro River basin.

During field data collection, analysis and presentation of the results, students will work in groups of three.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

THURSDAY 4

9:00 – Introduction to Fluvial Geomorphology and the Summer School

9.30 – Sources of sediment supply in Mountain Streams

10:30 – Particle entrainment and thresholds of motion

12:30 – Lunch break

14:00 – Sediment transport

16:00 – Channel morphology

FRIDAY 5

9:00 – Earth flow processes in mountain environments

10:00 – Sediment storage and yield

12:00 – Hydraulic geometry

13:30 – Lunch break

14:30 – Techniques of field data collection and sediment transport monitoring

15:30 – Introduction to ongoing research in the Sillaro River Valley

SATURDAY 6

Field activities in the Sillaro River:

- Defining bankfull level, channel cross-sections & channel gradient surveys

SUNDAY 7

Day off

MONDAY 8

Field activities in the Sillaro River:

- Channel bed texture (surface and sub-surface) and alluvium thickness

- Field mapping (lateral confinement, bank stratigraphy, channel unit spacing, wood, keystones)

TUESDAY 9

Demo of additional techniques

Muddy business: a field trip across earthflows and badlands

WEDNESDAY 10

Project day 1: data entry and analysis (group work)

THURSDAY 11

Project day 2: data analysis and presentation drafting (group work)

FRIDAY 12

Oral presentations by groups

Discussion on lessons learned and wrap up

 

The Summer School is cofunded by Fondazione Carisbo

 

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Brardinoni