Geomorfology

The aim of the course is to provide students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills related to the study of geomorphological processes associated with exogenous dynamics in coastal, volcanic, and karst environments, as well as all those processes involved in slope modelling, such as landslides. Students will acquire information on the classification and identification of these processes; slope retreat processes in coastal areas; physical and chemical weathering processes; and fluvial dynamics processes.

At the end of the course, students will be able to recognise, interpret, and classify the main groups of landforms in the environments studied, in order to analyse their evolution over short, medium, and long-term timescales.

Attendance to class is mandatory. Working students should refer to the University teaching regulations.

Information for students with disabilities and / or SLD:

To guarantee equal opportunities, in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can ask for a personal interview with the lecturer to plan any compensatory and / or dispensation measure, according to the didactic objectives and specific needs. It is also possible to contact the referent lecturer CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and / or SLD) of our Department, prof. Giorgio De Guidi.

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.