GEODESIA E TELERILEVAMENTO

Academic Year 2023/2024 - Teacher: FRANCESCO PANZERA

Expected Learning Outcomes

Provide knowledge and skills in the field of geodesy with particular reference to satellite and terrestrial geodetic measurements, and to gravimetric measurements. The physical knowledge necessary for the study of ground deformations in a tectonic and volcanic environment, and for the modeling of the relative sources will also be provided. Moreover, methodology to monitoring Earth system through remote sensing techniques will be discussesed.

Knowledge and understanding:

- theoretical bases on geodesy, gravimetry and satellite geophysical monitoring;

- theoretical bases on the use of satellite and terrestrial data for monitoring the earth system.

Ability to apply knowledge:

- ability to apply the acquired knowledge to the description of geodetic phenomena using the scientific method;

- ability to critically view qualitative and quantitative information obtained through remote sensing.

Judgment autonomy

- ability to argue personal interpretations of geodetic phenomena and more generally of observations concerning the earth system.

Communication skills

- capacity for expository synthesis and use of appropriate technical-scientific language.

Course Structure

In person lectures will be held.

If lectures will be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the program plan and syllabus outlines.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, if the situation require it.

Required Prerequisites

Knowledge of physics, mathematics, physics of the Earth, geology and geophysics.

Attendance of Lessons

Mandatory

Detailed Course Content

Introduction: definition, objectives and history of geodesy.

Reference systems: basic units, time reference systems, space reference systems, celestial, terrestrial and local reference systems, datum transformation.

Earth shape: introductory concepts, gravity, geoid, ellipsoid, height systems, temporal variations of gravity.

Methods of measurement: atmospheric refraction, satellite observations, geodetic astronomy, gravimetry, terrestrial geodetic measurements.

Projections: overview, cylindrical, planar, conic, Tissot's indicatrix, projection parameters, most common projections, how to choose a map.

Structure and dynamics of the Earth: the geophysical Earth model, isostasy, plate tectonics, interpretation on the gravity field, geodesy and recent geodynamics.

Models of ground deformation sources: point source, pipes, spheroidal pressure sources, tensile dislocations, shear dislocations. 

Fundamentals of remote sensing: concepts of remote sensing, physical principles of remote sensing, main interactions between enrgy and the material, data acquisition, characteristics of observation systems, observation and measurement tools, methodologies for the data interpretation.

Textbook Information

  1. Müller Jürgen, Torge Wolfgang (2012). Geodesy. De Gruyter Editor, ISBN: 9783110250008, 444 pages.

  2. Zhiping Lu, Yunying Qu, Shubo Qiao (2014). Geodesy - Introduction to Geodetic Datum and Geodetic Systems. Springer-Verlag Editor, ISBN 978-3-642-41245-5, 401 pages.

  3. Thomas Herring (2015). Treatise on Geophysics - Geodesy. Vol.3. Elsevier Editor, ISBN 9780444535795, 410 pages.

  4. Daniel Dzurisin (2001). Volcano Deformation. Springer. 441 pages.

  5. Pietro A. Brivio, Giovanni Lechi, Eugenio Zilioli (2006). Principi e metodi di telerilevamento. Editore CittàStudi.

  6. Michael J. De Smith, Michael F. Goodchild, Paul A. Longley (2018) Geospatial Analysis: A Comprehensive Guide to Principles, Techniques and Software Tools, The Winchelsea Press, ISBN 978-1-912556-03-8, 618 pages

  7. Dispense.

Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1Introduction: Definition, objectives, and history of geodesy“Geodesy”. Torge and Muller. De Gruyter Editor. 2012. Chap. 1. Slides.
2Reference systems: units of measurement; temporal reference systems; spatial reference systems; celestial, terrestrial, and local reference systems; transformation between coordinate systems.“Geodesy”. Torge and Muller. De Gruyter Editor. 2012. Chap. 2. Slides.
3The shape of the Earth: introductory concepts; gravitational acceleration; geoid; ellipsoid; altitude systems; temporal variations in gravitational acceleration.An Introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics (Second Edition), J.M. Reynolds, Wiley-Blackwell Editore, 2011. “Geodesy”. Lu, Qu and Qiao. Springer Editor. 2014. Chap. 4. “Geodesy, Treatise on Geophysics, vol. 3”. Chap. 8. Slides.
4Measurement methods: atmospheric refraction; satellite observations; geodetic astronomy; gravimetry; terrestrial geodetic measurements.“Geodesy”. Torge and Muller. De Gruyter Editor. 2012. Chap. 5. Slides.
5Projections: overview; cylindrical; planar; conic; Tissot's indicator; projection parameters; main projections; choosing a map.Slides.
6Ground deformation source models: point sources, spherical sources, conduits, tensile dislocations, shear dislocations.''Volcano Deformation''. Chap. 8. Slides.
7Overview of remote sensing: concepts of remote sensing, physical principles of remote sensing, major interactions between energy and matter, data acquisition, characteristics of observation systems, observation and measurement tools, methodologies for interpretation."Principi e metodi di telerilevamento". Pietro A. Brivio, Giovanni Lechi, Eugenio Zilioli (2006).  Editore CittàStudi."Geospatial Analysis: A Comprehensive Guide to Principles, Techniques and Software Tools" Michael J. De Smith, Michael F. Goodchild, Paul A. Longley (2018), The Winchelsea Press. Slides

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

The examination is an oral test of about 30 minuts during which will be verified the level of knowledge and the level of understanding by the student on the theoretical and practical contents of the class. The student can choice the starting argument of the examination.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

What are the techniques applied for the study of geodesy?
What is the geoid, and how is the equation of the geoid derived?
What are the differences between cylindrical, planar, and conic projections?
How do satellite-based geodetic techniques work, especially GPS?
What are the instruments for measuring gravitational acceleration?
Differences between absolute and relative gravity measurements.
Differences between the geoid and ellipsoid.
What are tides, and how can they be modeled?
Temporal variations in the Earth's rotational motion.
What are Tissot's indicators?
What are the main sources of ground deformation in volcanic environments?
VERSIONE IN ITALIANO