Atmosphere dynamic.
Processes of azonal modeling. Morphoclimatic systems and zonal processes associated with them.
The lithology as a factor of morphogenesis; notes on karst. Erodibility and morfoselection, morphology and structural morfotectonic.
The hydrographic network.
Notes on geodesy and cartography.
Altitude representation of the ground. Geomorphological mapping. Earth Sciences methodology for teaching.
Atlante dei tipi geografici IGM, Firenze 2006.
Fondamenti di Geografia Fisica, A. Strahler (Zanichelli).
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired: this is an introductory course in Earth Science, whose goal is to provide a knowledge base on three different but interrelated topics: the physics of the atmosphere and climate; processes shaping Earth's relief; cartography bases (especially in view of the practical use of maps).
Skills acquired at the end of the course: interpretation capability of landscape processes in different morphoclimatic reagions. Lanscape elements identification by map reading.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledges in Geography
Teaching Methods
Lectures on the different subjects and practical exercises on maps (topographic or thematic), graph and logic skims
Further information
Frequency of lessons and exercises: recommended (but optional) lessons, mandatory for exercises (at least 2/3)
Type of Assessment
Not compulsory Intermediate test, multiple answers test for verification of skill obtained by the students during semester. Oral examination to determine the level of the student knowledge and link capability in between the different subject of the course.
Course program
Atmosphere. Thermal radiation and the overall budget. Greenhouse effect and human impact. Winds and global atmospheric circulation. Humidity and precipitation. Air masses and fronts. Climate regime. Modeling process: surface alteration; modeling of gravitational slopes, fluvial processes. Systems morfoclimate: equatorial, tropical, mesothermal, crionivale, glacial.
The relief of the Earth. Erodibility and morfoselection, morphology and structural morfotectonic. The lithology as a factor of morphogenesis; notes on karst. The hydrographic network and its evolution. Morphology associated with tabular, omoclinal, folds and faulted structures. Planation surfaces.
Sphere, ellipsoid, geoid. Classification of maps. The geographic grid and grid kilometer. Elevation of the terrain representation. Geomorphological mapping.
Methods and techniques for Teaching Earth Sciences