2019/2020

2019/2020

DM270

GEO/04 (PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY)

DEPARTMENT OF EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

NATURAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES

PERCORSO COMUNE

1°

2nd semester (02/03/2020 - 12/06/2020)

9

82 lesson hours

Italian

WRITTEN TEST

MAERKER MICHAEL (titolare) - 3 ECTS
ABBA' TIZIANO - 6 ECTS

Basic knowledge of:
-mathematics;
- Physics;
- chemistry.

The course in Physical Geography and Cartography aims to provide the cultural base for the comprehension and the analysis of the main processes and dynamics affecting the Earth's surface, as a result of the interaction between lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.

The first part of the course will serve to understand the Earth as a planet of the solar system, studying those astronomical phenomena and those physical processes that affect and regulate its external dynamics and that cause its appearance.
Then, the topics concerning the atmosphere and the physical processes that characterize its dynamics will be carried out in detail, in terms of their interactions with the Earth’s surface. The factors and elements of the Earth’s climate, as well as its classification will be covered in detail. The climate system will be also treated in terms of its changes over time, linked to the natural processes of interaction with the Earth systems, and the forcing determined by human activities.
The physical processes that characterize the terrestrial hydrosphere, in terms of its interaction with the other natural systems and its fundamental role as a shaping agent of the Earth’s surface will be discussed during the course. The different parts of the hydrosphere, from the seas and the oceans to the continental waters (streams, rivers and lakes), will be treated in the context of the distribution of the water resources and of the global hydrological cycle.
A special focus will cover the main elements of the Earth’s cryosphere, their interaction with the climate system and their fundamental role as a shaping agent of the landscape.
The Cartography part of the course aims at introducing the basic elements for reading, understanding and using small, medium and large scale topographic maps. Representation of the relief, altitude and location of the landscape elements (i.e. coordinates), orientation and gradient of the slopes will be part of the basic concepts given in the lectures, also in view of providing students with a knowledge base for understanding more advanced mapping methods (e.g. GIS). It will also stress the importance of cartography as a primary mean to collect and disseminate all kinds of geographic information. Some topics of the Cartography part of the course will be conducted via practical exercises.

Lectures.
Practical exercises (cartography).

Basic textbooks:

Lupia Palmieri E., Parotto M. 2008. Il globo terrestre e la sua evoluzione. Sesta edizione. Zanichelli, Bologna.
McKnight T., Hess D. 2005. Geografia Fisica. Comprendere il Paesaggio. Piccin, Padova.


Basic textbooks (cartography)

Perego S. 2004. Cartografia. Lettura delle Carte Topografiche. Santa Croce Editrice
Aruta L., Marescalchi P.1986. Cartografia, lettura delle carte. Flaccovio Editore, Palermo.


Auxiliary textbooks:

Strahler A.N. 1984. Geografia Fisica. Piccin, Padova
Casati P., Pace F. 1996. Scienze della Terra 2. L’atmosfera, l’acqua, i climi, i suoli. Città Studi Editore, Milano.
Ciccacci S. 2010. Le forme del rilievo. Atlante illustrato di geomorfologia. Mondadori Università, Roma.


Auxiliary material will be provided by the teacher during the course.

1. Practical test (cartography).
2. Written exam.

1. Practical test (cartography).
2. Written exam.