ENVIRONMENTAL GEOMORPHOLOGY

Single discipline educational activity

Course Sheet

Course code:

GE213

Academic Year of enrolment:

2019

Year of supply:

2019/2020

Type of Course:

Characterising

Degree:

Course of 2nd Cycle Degree in GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES OF EARTH AND PLANETS

Disciplinary Sector:

Physical Geography and Geomorphology

Location:

CHIETI

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

PIACENTINI Tommaso

Cycle:

First semester

Hours of classroom activity:

Individual study hours:

Prerequisites:

None

Objectives

Environmental geomorphology deals with landforms and landscape in relation to the impact of human interferences on natural landform process and vice versa. The course provides tools for the analysis of landscape and geomorphological environments in terms of land planning and impact of human activities. It focuses on identifing, evaluating, and managing of various problems arising out of landform-man interaction by means of direct (field geomorphological mapping) and indirect (aerial photo interpretation, geomorphometry) investigations.

Contents

Knowledge of the fields of application of engineering geomorphology. Environmental management: lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. Principles and methods of geomorphological analysis for the realization of a study for engineering works, for local and regional analysis and for environmental impact assessment. Knowledge of the main geomorphological hazards, and related risks, relating to different types of geomorphological environments and for the proper land management.The tools of applied geomorphology: geomorphological mapping applied to land management and geomorphological hazards..Examples of studies and applications of engineering geomorphology.

Extended Syllabus

Introduction. Knowledge of the fields of application of environmental geomorphology. Environmental management related to lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. Principles and methods of geomorphological analysis for the realization of a study for engineering works, for local and regional analysis and for environmental impact assessment. Knowledge of the main geomorphological hazards, and related risks, relating to different types of geomorphological environments and for the correct land management.
Geomorphological tools for applied and environmental issues; geomorphological mapping applied to land management and geomorphological hazards.
Geomorphology for the management of the mountain environment, including glacial and periglacial environment.
Geomorphological assessment of slopes stability.
Geomorphological analysis for the management of the fluvial environment.
Geomorphological analysis for the management of the coastal environment.
Geomorphological analysis for the management of karst environment.
Fundamentals of hazard, vulnerability and risk in relation to geomorphological processes.Examples geomorphological environmental studies in mountain areas, piedmont hills and coastal area of Central Italy. Examples in tropical and polar environments.
Practical activities: Activities in the lab and field, methods of applied and environmental geomorphological analysis and mapping.

Recommended Bibliography

Handouts provided by the teacher.
Textbooks
- Fookes, P. G. , Lee, E. M., Griffiths, J. S; Engineering geomorphology : theory and practice; Whittles Publishing, 2007.
- Cooke R.U. and Doornkamp J.C.. (1990) - Geomorphology in environmental management: a new introduction. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Panizza M. (2005) Environmental Geomorphology, Volume 4, 1st Edition. Elsevier Science, ISBN: 9780080531106
- Panizza M. (2005) - Manuale di geomorfologia applicata. Franco Angeli.Summerfield M. (1991) - Global Geomorphology. Longman Scientific & Technical.
- APAT (2002) - Atlante delle opere di sistemazione dei versanti. APAT Manuali e linee guida 10/2002. http://www.isprambiente.gov.it/it/pubblicazioni/manuali-e-linee-guida/at...
- APAT (2003) - Atlante delle opere di sistemazione fluviale. APAT Manuali e linee guida 27/2003. http://www.isprambiente.gov.it/it/pubblicazioni/manuali-e-linee-guida/at...
- APAT (2007) - Atlante delle opere di sistemazione costiera. APAT Manuali e linee guida 44/2007. http://www.isprambiente.gov.it/it/pubblicazioni/manuali-e-linee-guida/at...
- Rinaldi M., Surian N., Comiti F., Bussettini M. (2014): IDRAIM – Sistema di valutazione idromorfologica, analisi e monitoraggio dei corsi d'acqua – ISPRA – Manuali e Linee Guida 113/2014. Roma, giugno 2014. http://www.isprambiente.gov.it/it/pubblicazioni/manuali-e-linee-guida/id...
- Highland L.M., & Bobrowsky P. (2008) - The landslide handbook—A guide to understanding landslides. Geological Survey Circular 1325, 129 p. http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1325/

Teaching Methods

The course is based on lectures, study and lab activities and on field trips. Specific cases are analyzed in which the issues related to the different geomorphological processes (coastal, fluvial, gravitational, karst, nival and glacial) are dealt with.

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

Exam consisting of a written test and an oral exam.
Oral exam: It will verify of the knowledge related to geomorphological environments and the autonomy of the student in analyzing the geomorphological environments and the related hazards.
Written test: Essay concerning the environmental geomorphological features and the related geomorphological hazards of a local area chosen during the year with the teacher; the essay will verify the appropriate methodology acquired during the course and the realization of geomorphological and thematic maps.

The final grade is expressed in thirtieths. The oral exam is worth 30% of the exam and the written exam is 70%.

Contacts/More Information

Students reception:
- during the lesson semester (fall) on Thursday at 9-11 a.m..

- during the spring semester, by appointment via email.

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

Aree