OVERVIEW

The geomorphological mapping provides the basic knowledge and practices indispensable to support urban and land planning, design of civil and environmental engineering works, environmental impact assessment, cultural heritage sites and landscape. Among the different geomorphological dynamics, the topic of identification and monitoring of landslides and floods is therefore addressed, as widespread, recurrent and hazardous phenomena.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course has a double educational goal. The first is to train students in geomorphological surveying and mapping, as a tool: i) for the earth surface representation continuously shaped by natural/anthropic processes; ii) basic for land and environmental management and related geomorphological risks reduction. The second is to provide knowledge on the identification, monitoring techniques and management of geo-hydrological hazard, intended as the natural process related to the interaction between meteorological phenomena and the geological environment. In the light of climate change impact, the following issues are addressed: i) flooding phenomena, with reference to urban and peri-urban areas; ii) rainfall-induced landslides, either rapid or slow kinematics. A final part of the course provides students with the basic geological and geomorphological elements to support the Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment procedures.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The attendance and participation in the training activities will allow the student to acquire general knowledge of ‘Geomorphological mapping and geo-hydrological hazard’ specific skills of the geologist consultant in order to interact with other practitioners working on: land planning and management activities;  identification of prevention measures for the of geo-hydrological risk reduction.

In detail the student will be able to: know the basic methods for geomorphological survey; read and understand geomorphological maps, derive further geo-thematic cartography aimed at representing geo-hydrological hazards; identify the most appropriate techniques for monitoring phenomena of geo-hydrological hazards; performing the results of geo-hydrological phenomena monitoring and using them for the purposes of risk reduction; critically evaluating the data collected during the survey, both directly on the territory, using existing cartography, or through remote sensing, to develop scientific and technical analysis; preparing scientific and geomorphological-technical reports

PREREQUISITES

The following basic knowledge is required to deal effectively with the teaching content:

On geomorphology, as: 1) litho-structural landforms, 2) gravitative landforms, 3) fluvial landforms, 4) karst landforms, 5) coastal landforms, 6) man-made landforms

On Engineering Geology, as: 1) landslides classification and type; 2) engineering geology surveys in landslides areas; 3) techniques for landslides monitoring

TEACHING METHODS

Teaching includes frontal lessons, classroom exercises, on-site surveying, educational tours.

The teaching of Geomorphological Mapping and Geo-Hydrological hazard is carried out with a practical approach to ensure the immediate understanding of the subject in technical and applicative terms, using several exercises, activities for the verification of acquired knowledge, research and investigations. Support activities to teaching by Geologist consultans, Geologists employed by public administrations, researchers of the National Research Council, Institute for Geo-hydrological Research and Protection.

The frontal lessons in the classroom are delivered through multimedia presentations.

The classroom exercises are aimed at applying the theoretical knowledge acquired during the frontal and surveying lessons on site. In particular, the following are envisaged: reading and comprehension of geomorphological maps; realization of geomorphological maps from existing studies and available from scientific and technical literature; realization of original geomorphological map obtained from on-sitesurvey; realization of original geomorphological map in an urban environment through multi-temporal cartographic comparison and drills database; development of idro-geomorphological themes proposed for the Geologist qualifying examination.

The exercises on-site will be carried out mainly in the Genoese territory and aimed at: the identification of the landformsdue to gravity, running waters, man-made; the recognition of geo-hydrological hazards in small-size urbanized basins; the recognition of the landforms of the urban landscape in a part of Genoacity.

Educational tours are planned to building sites, urban areas and local authorities (land planning and civil protection).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The program of the course includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics:

guidelines of the Geomorphological Map of Italy at the 1:50.000 scale (ed. 1994, 2018), classification and symbolism of geo-hydrological phenomena on slopes (2006)

reading and comprehension of geomorphological maps

collection of existing cartographic data, field survey, borehole  databases, photo-interpretation and 'remote sensing' for the geomorphological survey purpose

compilation of a report accompanying a geomorphological map

definition of geomorphological layout to support Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment projects

Geo-hydrological hazards: floods, landslides and groundwater

regulatory instruments regarding geomorphological and hydraulic hazard

landslides, identification and classification, monitoring

river dynamics, identification and classification of process, monitoring activities

notes on structural interventions aimed to natural hazard reduction and vulnerability of exposed assets and non-structural interventions useful for the geo-hydrological risk prevention

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All slides used during the lessons and other educational materials will be available on AulaWeb at the end of each cycle of lectures/exercises in the classroom.

Some references can be found on-line, others are available from the MF&N School of Sciences Library or from the responsible lecturer; students may also use other university-level material.

• APAT (2006) - Fenomeni di dissesto geologico - idraulico sui versanti. Classificazione e simbologia. Manuali e linee guida  APAT n° 39, 177 pp.
• D’Orefice M.,  Graciotti R. (2015) - Rilevamento geomorfologico e cartografia. Dario Flaccovio editore, 360 pp.
• ISPRA (2018) - Quaderni serie III, volume 13, fascicolo I ‘aggiornamento ed integrazioni delle linee guida della carta geomorfologica d’italia alla scala 1:50.000, progetto CARG: modifiche ed integrazioni al quaderno n. 4/1994 (a cura del Gruppo di lavoro per la cartografia geomorfologica Servizio Geologico Nazionale e Gruppo Nazionale di Geografia fisica e Geomorfologia), Roma
• Panizza M. (2016) – Manuale di Geomorfologia applicata.  Ed. Franco Angeli, 536 pp.
• Servizio Geologico Nazionale (1994) - Quaderni serie III, volume 4, Carta geomorfologica d’italia – 1:50.000 guida al rilevamento (a cura del Servizio Geologico d‘Italia ISPRA, Associazione Italiana di  Geografia fisica e Geomorfologia, Consiglio Nazionale dei Geologi), Istituto poligrafico e zecca dello stato, Roma

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

FRANCESCO FACCINI (President)

PIERLUIGI BRANDOLINI

MARCO FIRPO

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The final test consists of two practical tests and an oral test.

The first practical test consists in the preparation of an original geomorphological map linked to  explanatory notes; the choice of the map and scale must be agreed with the lecturer.

The second practical test consists in the development of a problem related to a case of geo-hydrological hazard, similar to that of the qualifying examination to the Geologist consultant, with regard to idro-geomorphology issues.

The practical tests are passed if the student obtains a mark greater than or equal to 18/30.

The oral exam consists in the discussion of the practical tests and in the verification of the learning of the subjects treated during the teaching, which are part of the program course.

The final mark is obtained from the arithmetic mean of the marks of the two practical and oral tests. The oral test may be taken in the same call as the practical test or in subsequent calls published on the UNIGE website.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The methods for the final test preparation and the levels of detail required will be provided during the lessons.

The practical test will verify the ability to read, understand and realize geomorphological maps aimed at land and urban planning, and the identification of geo-hydrological hazards.

The student should be able to link the knowledge gained during the classroom exercise activities with that provided during the frontal lessons by applying it to case studies developed during the on-site exercises.

The oral test concerns the discussion of the practical tests and aims to evaluate the level of knowledge achieved, the ability to recall theoretical notions by applying them to real contexts. The ability to present the arguments and the use of correct scientific terminology are also assessed.

Exam schedule