Learning objectives
Knowledge of geomorphological hazards and risks in the different morphoclimatic systems, recent climate-related dynamics. Geomorphological risk and its mitigation, recent climate and anthropogenic pressure. Climate changes in the Quaternary and in the Anthropocene.
Prerequisites
Having passed an exam of Geomorphology in the BSc
Course unit content
The course treats the geomorphological hazards in the different morphoclimatic systems, placing them in the context of the climatic changes of the Quaternary and of the more recent one, of the Anthropocene. The geomorphological risk in relation to the anthropic presence and the related cartography is also studied.
Full programme
Recall to the basic concepts of Geomorphology, processes and landforms in the environment. Geomorphological hazard and risk related to surface processes, the instability of the slopes, in the fluvial environment, in the coastal, karst environment, in the glacial, periglacial and desert morphoclimatic environments; risk and its components, risk mitigation. Natural proxy analysis techniques for the evaluation of the geomorphological instability. Cartography for the evaluation of geomorphological hazard: map of geomorphological dynamics, integrated analysis map, summary map of geomorphological hazard. Geomorphological hazards in relation to climate changes in the Quaternary and in the Anthropocene: evidence of climate and environmental changes, reconstruction methods using proxy indicators. Causes of climate and environmental changes in the Quaternary and in the Anthropocene. Global climate and effect of glaciations on glacial, periglacial, fluvial and coastal morphoclimatic systems. Consequences of climate change on hazard, climate and extreme weather-climatic events in the mountain, plains and coastal environment in relation to anthropogenic presence.
The didactic activities in the field concern the techniques for setting up a dendrogeomorphological study and the use of instruments for a quantitative approach to the assessment of geomorphological hazards.
The laboratory activities concern the processing of dendrochronological samples, microscope and digital measurements, the use of GIS software.
Bibliography
Panizza M., “Manuale di Geomorfologia applicata”, Franco Angeli, 2005.
Gisotti G. “Il dissesto idrogeologico”, Serie Scienze e Tecnica, Flaccovio Ed., 2012.
Marchetti M.- “Geomorfologia fluviale”, Pitagora Ed., 2000.
Bell & Walker. "Late Quaternary environmental change", Routledge, 2005.
Teaching methods
Class lectures (32 hours), didactical field activities (20 hours), practical activities in the Laboratory of Dendrochronology (15 hours), for a total of 6 credits.
The slides used to support the lessons are uploaded on a weekly basis on the Elly platform. To download the slides, you need to register for the online course. The slides are considered an integral part of the teaching material, and are to be used to integrate the information received during the course with the necessary insights to be done individually on the indicated textbooks. Non-attending students are reminded to check the didactic material available and the information provided by the teacher through the Elly platform.
The practical activities and the didactical field excursions are part of the course
Assessment methods and criteria
The exam takes place through an oral interview. Four questions of [7/30] each will be asked, for a typical duration of around 30-40 minutes.
The first question is about the presentation of a research paper. The common work for the practical activities is evaluated with [3/30]. Reaching a total of 31/30 corresponds to the [30L] grade.
If a question is completely unanswered or completely wrong, the maximum mark achievable in the exam will be [21/30], the 3 grades for the practical activity possibly included.
The grade of the oral exam is communicated immediately at the end of the exam itself
Other information
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
The knowledge acquired with the course of Geomorphological Hazards and Climate Changes of the Quaternary is fundamental for understanding the geomorphological dynamics in progress and the related hazards in the context of the climatic and global changes, in favor of life on Earth (objective # 15 of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development) and of the security of natural systems. The course provides the elements to be able to know the different hazards and their interactions in the various terrestrial environments and to set up risk management in natural and anthropic environments.
