2019/2020

2019/2020

DM270

GEO/04 (PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY)

DEPARTMENT OF EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES

PERCORSO COMUNE

1°

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

9

82 lesson hours

Italian

WRITTEN TEST

SEPPI ROBERTO (titolare) - 9 ECTS

Basic knowledge of:
- mathematics;
- physics;
- chemistry.
Notions of trigonometry;
use of proportions;
reading and interpretation of different types of graphs in a Cartesian axis system.

The course is divided in two parts: Physical Geography and Cartography.

The Physical Geography part aims at providing 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 Cartography part aims at introducing the basic and practical notions for reading, understanding and using small, medium and large scale topographic maps.

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.

The Physical Geography part is developed by lectures, with the support of slides and other material from the Internet. During the lectures, other references are provided.

The cartography part is developed by:
- guided practice exercises, in order to prepare the cartography test of the exam;
- Field excursion to gain practical experience with the use of topographic maps, orientation, use of compass.

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 of cartography, composed by exercises from the topics treated during the course.
2. Written exam, consisting of a series of multiple-choice questions, questions with true/false answers, questions with short answers.

The practical test of cartography (1) should be taken and passed before the written exam (2).

At the end of the course, detailed information on how to conduct the exam will be provided.