OVERVIEW

Geo-hydrological hazards derives from Earth surface processes due to the interaction between meteo-hydrological phenomena and the geological environment, natural or human-modified, which can potentially lead to the loss of exposed elements at risk.

Among the most widespread and recurrent geo-hydrological hazards landslides and floods are presented.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The goal of the course is to provide knowledge on the identification, monitoring and management of geo-hydrological hazards, defined as the process related to the interaction between meteorological phenomena and geomorphological environment. In particular, floods and landslides are explained as widespread, recurrent and hazard processes. A part of the course provides knowledge to students on the geo-hydrological processes: i) in land-use planning; ii) to support the Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment procedures; iii) in the forensic geology field; iv) in the context of climate change; v) in the emergency management cycle and Civil Protection activities, including warning and alert systems. Finally, the course provides knowledge on the main actions aimed to geo-hydrological hazard reduction and related risk.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The attendance and participation in the training activities will allow the student to achieve the general knowledge of 'Geo-hydrological hazards'  as specific skills of the Geologist in order to interact with other pratictioners in the planning and management, identification of prevention measures for the geo-hydrological risk reduction. Specifically, the student will be able to:

• analyse significant meteo-hydrological events and evaluate any climate trends
• analyse geo-hydrological hazard processes in Master Plans and Urban planning tools
• recognize the ground effects after significant rainfall events and represent the geo-hydrological hazard through thematic mapping
• identify the most appropriate techniques for monitoring the geo-hydrological hazards
• discuss the results of the monitoring of geo-hydrological phenomena and use them for risk reduction purposes
• critically evaluate the data collected during the survey activity, either directly on the territory or using existing cartography or remote sensing, to develop scientific and technical analyses
• preparing scientific and technical reports

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of Geomorphology, Geomorphological Survey and mapping, Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology is considered mandatory to effectively address the contents of the teaching. 

TEACHING METHODS

Teaching includes frontal lessons, workshops, on-site survey.

The teaching of Geo-Hydrological hazard is carried out with a practical approach to ensure the immediate comprehension of the subject in theoretical and applicative terms, using exercises, tests, research and studies.There will be teaching support activities by Geologists consultant, Geologists employed in the public administrations, Researchers belong to the National Research Council, Institute for Geo-hydrological Research and Protection.

The classroom lectures are delivered through multimedia presentations.

The workshop activities are aimed at the application of the theoretical knowledge acquired during the frontal lessons and field surveys. In particular, there will be laboratory exercises on applied hydro-geomorphology items proposed for the examination test for geologist pratictioner.

The on-site exercises are aimed at the recognition, monitoring and management of geo-hydrological hazards in regional and extra-regional catchments. There will also be exercises on buildings sites, urban areas and at local authorities (Land Planning and Management, Civil Protection).

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

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

geo-hydrological hazard: floods, landslides, debris-mud flows, sink-hole phenomena

analysis of meteo-hydrological events, reconstruction of rainfall history and water levels, flood markers

land planning tools for geomorphological and hydraulic hazards

landslide phenomena, identification and classification, landslide monitoring

river dynamics, identification and classification of processes, monitoring activities of phenomena

introduction to structural interventions to reduce the natural hazard and vulnerability of exposed elements and non-structural interventions useful for the geo-hydrological risk prevention 

definition of geo-hydrological hazard in Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment projects

introduction to Forensic Geology with reference to geo-hydrological hazard in civil, criminal and administrative trials

drafting a report accompanying a geo-hydrological risk reduction project

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All slides used during the lecturers 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.
• Gisotti G. (2012) – Il dissesto idrogeologico. Previsione, prevenzione e mitigazione del rischio. Dario Flaccovio Editore, 639 pp.
• Highland L.M., Bobrowsky P. (2008) - The Landslide Handbook - A Guide to Understanding Landslides. Reston, Virginia, U.S. Geological
• ISPRA (2018) - Dissesto idrogeologico in Italia: pericolosità e indicatori di rischio – ISPRA, Rapporti 287/2018
• Panizza M. (2016) - Manuale di Geomorfologia applicata.  Ed. Franco Angeli, 536 pp.
• Rosso R. (2018) – Manuale di Protezione Idraulica del Territorio. Biblioteca d’Ingegneria dell’Acqua 1, Milano

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

FRANCESCO FACCINI (President)

PIERLUIGI GIORGIO BRANDOLINI

ANDREA MANDARINO

MARCO FERRARI (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Detailed timetable at link:  https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The final exam consists of a practical test and an oral part. The practical test consist  in the development of a project related to a geo-hydrological hazard case-study, similar to that of the qualifying examination to the Geologist pratictioner, with regard to idro-geomorphology issues.

The oral part consists in the discussion of the practical test and in the verification of the learning of the subjects presentend during the teaching, as explained in the program course.

Please refer to the AulaWeb instance specific of the teaching for any updates due to health and epidemiological situation changes.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

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

The practical test will verify the ability to analyse, comprehend and manage the geo-hydrological hazards, including the risk reduction interventions and discussions.

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 and workshops.

The oral test concerns the discussion of the practical test 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

FURTHER INFORMATION

Lecturers attendance is strongly recommended.

Students with a certification of physical or learning disability filed with the University can find information on support services at the web page https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/studenti-disturbi-specifici-apprendimento-dsa, provided by the "Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and with Learning Disorders." They can also contact Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Distav contact for disabilities