GEOMORPHOLOGY

Knowledge and Understanding

The aim of the course is to provide students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills for the study of surface geomorphological processes, with particular emphasis on those that shape and influence landscape evolution. The course examines geomorphological processes related to exogenic dynamics in coastal, volcanic, and karst environments, as well as slope-shaping processes, with a focus on landslides, their classification, and their identification. Additional topics include coastal cliff and slope retreat processes, physical and chemical weathering, and the main processes governing fluvial dynamics.

Applying Knowledge and Understanding

By the end of the course, students will be able to recognize and classify the main groups of landforms occurring in the environments addressed.

Making Judgements

Students will be able to independently interpret information derived from landscape observation and to analyze evidence of morphological evolution at short-, medium-, and long-term scales.

Communication Skills

Students will acquire the ability to present the concepts covered in the course using appropriate technical language to different audiences, both specialist and non-specialist. The oral examination will further help students refine their technical vocabulary and communication skills.

Learning Skills

Students will be able to independently expand their knowledge of the topics covered through further study of recommended textbooks and teaching materials provided by the instructor (e.g., lecture slides), as well as through insights gained from any additional educational activities organized within the course.

Attendance is mandatory, in accordance with the Academic Regulations of the degree programme.

Information for Students with Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD): in order to ensure equal opportunities and compliance with current legislation, students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (SLD) may request an individual meeting with the instructor to discuss and arrange any necessary compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, taking into account the learning objectives of the course and the tudent's specific needs.

Students may also contact the Department’s CInAP representative, prof. Gabriele Lanzafame.

1. Geomorphology and Landscape:
   Erodibility of soils and rocks; morphological mapping; interpretation of topographic maps; morphological analyses using Google Earth and Digital Terrain Models (DTM). Factors and processes controlling landforms. Landforms controlled by lithology and structural orientation.

2. Morphotectonics and Morphoselection:
   Soil erosion processes: splash erosion and runoff actions.

3. Slopes and Evolutionary Models:
   Processes and landforms on slopes: soil, regolith, and rock. Solifluction, soil creep, soil slip. Components of landslides. Varnes classification of landslides.

4. Fluvial Processes and Landforms:
   The hydrological cycle at slope and basin scales. Drainage networks. Floodplains. Riverbeds and types. Channel geometry. Hierarchical organization of drainage networks. Hypsometric curve. Discharge and velocity. Fluvial sediment transport. Fluvial erosional and depositional landforms.

5. Volcanic Morphology:
   Main elementary forms related to volcanic activity; volcanic edifices; erosional forms.

6. Coastal Morphology:
   Marine action on coasts; marine erosion and coastal sedimentation; morphological classification of coasts.

7. Karst Morphology:
   Types and characteristics of soluble rocks; surface karst landforms; underground cavities.

1) What is meant by "sinkhole"?

2) What are the groups of rocks mainly affected by solution processes?

3) What is meant by "undercutting"?

4) Schematize the transverse profile of a beach.

5) List the types of volcanic edifices.