B2068 - GEODESIA GEOFISICA

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will have learned the basic concepts related to modern geodesy and will be able to appreciate, through case studies, the role that this discipline plays on knowledge in various fields of geophysics and in particular in the context of Earth System Physics.

Course contents

Module 1. Introduction to Geodesy. Mathematical foundations and harmonic functions. Mass distributions. Newton's Law. The Earth's gravity field and the geoid. Motion of satellites in a non-central field. Global gravity field models. Satellite methods. Undulations of the geoid. Isostasy. Tides. Love numbers. Harmonic expansion of the gravitational field. The movements of the Earth. Reference systems. Geodesy and climate change. Case studies.

Module 2. Space geodetic techniques and main applications for the study of the Earth system. Insights into the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS): methods for data processing, procedures for generating time series of coordinates of a network of stations, analysis of noise and geophysical signals in time series of positions. Methods for estimating displacement speeds and deformation rates. Calculation, visualization and interpretation of velocity and deformation fields. Analysis of case studies in the field of seismotectonics (plate tectonics and seismic cycle) and in the field of environmental geodesy (hydrology and subsidence), also through classroom discussion of scientific publications.

Readings/Bibliography

Torge W, e Müller J. Geodesy. Walter de Gruyter, 2012.

Lambeck K. Geophysical geodesy, Oxford: Clarendon, 1988.

Hofmann-Wellenhof B, e Moritz H. Physical geodesy. Springer, 2006.

Wahr J. Geodesy and Gravity (class notes), Smizdat Press, 1996.

Teaching methods

Classroom lessons and seminars in which students actively participate, intervening with monographic reports or taking part in discussions.

Learning will be supported using collaborative computational tools, enabling students to explore some of the topics studied using real or synthetic data and to develop their analytical and problem-solving skills. 

Assessment methods

The assessment consists of a final oral exam, fixed by appointment with the teacher. The student will be asked to discuss three topics among those covered in the course. The student will be able to prepare one of the three topics in the form of a short written dissertation. Grades: sufficient knowledge: 18-20; basic knowledge: 21-23; fair knowledge: 24-26; good knowledge: 27-29; excellent knowledge: 30-30L.

Teaching tools

Computer, beamer and blackboard. 

Students with DSA or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is recommended to contact the responsible University office in good time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it): it will be their responsibility to propose any adaptations to the students concerned, which must however be submitted, 15 days in advance, to the approval of the teacher, who will evaluate the opportunity also in relation to the educational objectives of the course.

Office hours

See the website of Giorgio Spada

See the website of Enrico Serpelloni