91449 - GEOMORFOLOGIA (8 CFU)

Learning outcomes

General understanding of the processes that shape and have shaped the Earth's surface and the main resulting landforms. Interpretation of topographic and geomorphological maps, including the ability to conduct basic QGIS operations and conduct mapping on Google Earth Imagery.

Course contents

LECTURES:

1. Introduction to Geomorphology; 2. Basics of cartography and the main topographic variables; 3. Feedback mechnisms between climate, tectonics and earth surface processes; 4. Physical weathering; 5. Chemical weathering; 6. Introduction to Hydrology; 7. Hillslope forms and processes (part 1); 8. Hillslope forms and processes (part 2); 9. Fluvial forms and processes (part 1); 10. Fluvial forms and processes (part 2); 11. Glacial forms and processes (part 1); 12: Glacial forms and processes (part 2). 13. Permaforst and periglacial environments; 14. Geomorphology of the Anthropocene: humans as dominant geomorphic agents.

FIELD EXCURSIONS:

The class during the excursions will be subdivided in two separates groups.

Field excursion 1 (8 hours):

River Santerno and Sillaro valleys: contrasting hillslope and fluvial forms and processes in two adjacent basins characterized by different lithologies. The excursion entails field data collection and analysis and the preparation of a group oral presentation and a short report.

Field Excursion 2 (4 hours):

Parco Talon (Casalecchio di Reno): reading and mapping a hilly fluvial landscape of the Northern Apennines. Students are expected to hand in individual geomorphic maps of the area visited in the excursion.

GEOMORPHOLOGICAL MAPPING:

Google Earth image interpretation and mapping exercises (labs - 16 hours):

1. Introduction to basic operations; 2. Extraction of river long profiles and valley cross sections; 3. Image interpretation and mapping of two study areas: glaciated (Alps) vs. unglaciated (Apennines) settings; 4. Data export into QGIS; 5. In class exercise on mapping subjectivity followed by class discussion and the drafting of mapping guidelines.

QGIS labs (8 hours):

1. Introducing QGIS, plug-ins e main commands; 2. Digital mapping of hillslope and fluvial forms; 3. Automated extraction of fluvial long profiles and valley cross sections.

Readings/Bibliography

Readings and presentations posted online

Teaching methods

Lectures, Field excursions and Lab sessions

Assessment methods

Google Earth-based image interpretation assignments and oral discussion (30%)

Group report linked to field excursion 1 (20%)

Draft geomorphological map linked to field excursion 2 (10%)

Written final exam: multiple choice & short essay (40%)

Teaching tools

PC-based video projections

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Brardinoni