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.
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.
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:
Basic knowledge of Geomorphology, Geomorphological Survey and mapping, Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology is considered mandatory to effectively address the contents of the teaching.
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.
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
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.
Ricevimento: The reception of students will be agreed directly with the lecturer by appointment.
Detailed timetable at link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/
The timetable for this course is available here: EasyAcademy
The examination consists of two practical tests and an oral session.
The first practical test is to develop a case study on a civil protection issue, with special reference to disaster planning and management.
The second practical test is to develop a case study on a geo-hydrological hazard issue (e.g., landslide, flood event, debris flow-torrential flow, etc.), from process identification, to monitoring activities, to the definition of guidelines for risk reduction and management.
The oral session consists of discussion of practical tests and checking the learning of the topics covered during the lectures, as listed in the syllabus.
The development and presentation of practical tests, which to all effects represent applied projects, make it possible to assess the ability to link the knowledge learned with the educational activities carried out, such as classroom lectures, laboratory activities, field direct surveys, and specialized workshops.
The development and discussion of two application projects allow to assess the ability to apply both strategies in the field of civil protection, with particular reference to emergency planning and management, and in the field of geo-hydrological hazard management (identification of processes, monitoring activities, guidelines for hazard mitigation), with the application of correct terminology and appropriate writing skills.
The oral examination aims to assess the level of knowledge achieved, the ability to recall theoretical notions by applying them to real contexts, and will also allow to verify the quality of exposition, the use of correct technical and scientific terminology, and the ability to critically reason about the projects developed in the field of civil protection and geo-hydrological hazard reduction.
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
