PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND EARTH OBSERVATION

Single discipline educational activity

Course Sheet

Course code:

GE415

Academic Year of enrolment:

2022

Year of supply:

2022/2023

Type of Course:

Basic

Degree:

Course of 1st Cycle Degree in GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Disciplinary Sector:

Physical Geography and Geomorphology

Language:

Italian

Location:

CHIETI

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

PIACENTINI Tommaso

Cycle:

First semester

Hours of classroom activity:

Individual study hours:

Prerequisites:

none

Objectives

Acquisition of (i) a correct geographical terminology, (ii) the basis for understanding the physical geographic features of the "Earth System" and (iii) of the tools to “observe” and "read" the Earth's surface as a result of the dynamic equilibrium between endogenous and exogenous forces.
Understanding of the constitution of the Solar System, of the motion of the Earth and of the implications on the type and distribution of climates and on the main terrestrial landscapes. Knowledge of the main elements of the hydrosphere and atmosphere and recognition of the main types of landscape.
Ability to use modern earth observation tools for the purposes of physical geographic analysis.
Ability to read and analyze the topographic maps, officially used in Italy, and how to define the main physical geographic aspects of the territory and the different types of landscape.

Contents

The planet Earth
Atmosphere and climates.
Marine and continental hydrosphere.
Landscapes and cartography.
Earth and landscapes observation.
Cartographic analysis exercises.

Extended Syllabus

The planet Earth. General structure of the Earth System: atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere. Physiology of the Earth. Shape and size of the Earth. The landscapes of the earth.
The solar system. Main motions of the planets and in particular of the Earth-Moon-Sun system; Kepler's laws; the millenarian motions; the Milankovitch curves; effects of the Earth-Moon-Sun system on the climates.
Atmosphere and climates. Composition, structure and main motions of the atmosphere; solar radiation and thermal balance; air temperature and humidity; pressure and atmospheric circulation; atmospheric humidity and precipitations. Climate and their classification; climates of Italy.
Marine hydrosphere. Oceans and seas; sea-water (composition, density, vertical structure); movements of the sea (waves, currents, tides, tsunamis); sea action on the coasts (outline). Elements of the coastal landscape.
Continental hydrosphere. Water cycle (outline). Water catchment area and hydrogeological basin, hydrographic networks; riverbeds and channels; lakes. Karst process fundamentals. Elements of the river and karst landscape. The cryosphere and the glaciers: snow-ice passage; glacier structure; types and movements of glaciers. Elements of the mountain and glacial landscape.

Cartography. Definition and characteristics of geographical and topographical maps; scale, classification, geographical projections (in particular UTM and Gauss-Boaga projection); Italian and regional cartography (IGMI cartography, Regional Topographical Map, Regional Technical Map, Ortophotos, digital elevation models); main types of geo-thematic maps. The position of a point on the earth (coordinates).
Earth observation tools: satellite data and images, methods of acquisition and use for geographic and landscape analysis.
Map and cartographic exercises (calculations of distances, dimensions, slopes, areas, coordinates). Drawing of topographic profiles. Drainage basins definitions and area calculation.
Analysis and interpretation of topographic maps in the laboratory and in the field; topographic symbols; analysis and recognition of the main types of landscape and their physical geographic features, on the basis of the official Italian cartography (IGMI and regional) and on the basis of the IGMI Geographical Types (edition 1922, 2004 edition).

Recommended Bibliography

- LUPIA PALMIERI E. & PAROTTO M. - Il Globo Terrestre e la sua evoluzione - 5° Ediz. (o successive) Zanichelli Ed., Bologna (in particolare i Capp. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16).
- MORI A. (1981) - Le Carte Geografiche e la loro lettura e interpretazione. Libreria Goliardica Ed., Pisa.
- SAURO U., MENEGHEL M., BONDESAN A., CASTIGLIONI GB. (2006) - Dalla carta topografica al paesaggio atlante ragionato. Zeta beta editrice, Vicenza.
- AA.VV. (2004) – Italia. Atlante dei tipi geografici, I.G.M.I., Firenze
-MARINELLI O. (1922) - Atlante dei tipi geografici, I.G.M.I., Firenze.
- slides provided during the lessons

Additional books:
LUPIA PALMIERI E. & PAROTTO M. - Geonomia - Lineamenti di Scienze della Terra. Zanichelli Ed., Bologna.
RICCI LUCCHI F. (1996) - La scienza di Gaia, ambienti e sistemi naturali visti da un geologo. Zanichelli Ed., Bologna (in particolare i Capp. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9)
STRAHLER A.N. (1984) - Geografia Fisica. Piccin Ed., Padova (in particolare i Capp. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, Appendice I e IV)
ARUTA L. & MARESCALCHI P. (1981) - Cartografia - lettura delle carte. Dario Flaccovio Ed., Palermo.
HESS D. (2022) – Geografia fisica. Comprendere il Paesaggio. Piccin Ed. Padova
Site Earth Observation EU
https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/scientific-activities-z/earth...
Site Observing the Earth ESA:
https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth
Sentinel Hub
https://services.sentinel-hub.com

Methods of Provision

Conventional

Teaching Methods

The course is structured in about 30 hours of lectures and in about 30 hours of laboratory on-field carthographic exercises.
In the lectures the contents and the topics of the course will be illustrated. Carthographic lab activities include exercises on topographic maps and analysis and interpretation of cartography; these will be carried out both in the classroom and in a field trip.
Practical exercises with GIS and Earth Observation tools in the computer room.

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

The exam consists of a written test and an oral test.
Oral Test: it will verify the acquisition of knowledge on the earth system and the skills in defining the geographical-physical and landscape features and in their analysis and interpretation.
Written test: It consists of three parts.
Part 1: exercise of cartographic coordinate calculation, drainage basin tracing and topographic profile drawing.
Part 2: Written report of the field excursion of the course.
Part 3: Written essay on a topographic map and related landscape selected with the teacher; the elements discussed during the course will be described, with particular reference to the definition of orography, hydrography and landscape of the selected area.

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