Climatic geomorphology

Duration

30h Th, 15h Pr, 4d FW

Number of credits

Lecturer

Aurelia Hubert

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course focuses on [1] physical and chemical weathering processes, and on [2] processes and associated landforms in the glacial, periglacial, arid and tropical environments.
The course is organized following the different climate zones with a specific emphasis on the impact of global warming and change on the different zones.
In the first part about rock alteration, we deal with rocks sensitivity to weathering, physical weathering, the leading role of water, chemical alteration and clay formation, weathering profiles and geochemical landscapes, duricrusts.
For the periglacial part, we focus on periglacial climates and environments, permafrost, thermal-conraction-crack polygon, ice segregation and ground ice, frost mounds, masse wasting, cryoturbation and cryopedology, the role of snow, rivers and wind. For the glacial part, we focus on different glacial environments and glacier types, erosion and accumulation processes and features, glacial geomorphology. For the tropical part, we focus on the difference and specificity of tropical climate and associated environments, erosion processes and associated landscapes. Finally for the arid part, we focus on the causes of aridity and the different environments, erosional processes, transport and sedimentation processes and the associated morphology.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The objective of the lectuers is to give an overall background of the processes and associated morphologies of the different climate zones; this is the clue to interpret past landforms and climates which differ from the present ones.
Lectures provide the basic knowledge for interactive case presentations and group discussions about global warming in the different climatic zones.
Pratical exercises  provide a basis for consolidating the achievements to date and foster further progress in the use of different data set and softwares communly used in physical geography.
Finally field work in the Vosges Mountain will allow the student to have a pratical training and to applied the knowledge acquired during the lectures and pratical exercises.
 

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Basics in geology and geomorphology

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Lectures are part of the proposed course. A powerpoint file is provided to the students on Ecampus.
Several group discussion are planned on the global warming in the different climatic zones. This learning activity required the active participation of students and is based on scientific papers.
One researcher will also make a presentation to explain his research on global warming.
In addition different works will be proposed during the practical exercises. 
Finally the course will be completed by pratical training during a field trip in the Vosges Mountains.
 

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

The lectures last 3 hours and practical exercises 2-3 hours in groups during the first part of the year. Field work lasts fives days in April-May dueing the second part of the year. 

Recommended or required readings

Ø PowerPoint Files of the lectures are available on eCampus
Ø Other documents that can be made available o Lectures Notes of Mr. A. Demoulin on Weathering and Duricrust.
o Lectures Notes of Mr. A. Ozer on Physical rock Weathering
o Lectures Notes of Mr. E. Juvigné en Glacial Geomorphology.
o Lectures Notes of Mr. E. Juvigné on Periglacial Geomorphology.
o Lectures Notes of Mr. A. Demoulin on Tropical Geomorphologie.
Ø Reference Book :
o Geomorphology- The Mechanism and Chemistry of Landscapes. Robert S. Anderson & Suzanne P. Anderson. Cambridge University Press. Available at the University Librairy.

Assessment methods and criteria

Evaluation will be discussed at the beginning of the year with the students.
The following allocation will be proposed:
Ø 50%: assessment based on a writing exam during the first examination;
Ø if underperforming, oral exam during the second examination ; but pratical excercices need to be completed
Ø 30%: assessment based on practical exercises;
Ø 20%: assessment based on individual work (for example discussion on global warming).

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Travel and housing cost: 220 euros

Contacts

Aurélia Hubert-Ferrari

tél. 04/366 93 95

email : aurelia.ferrari@ulg.ac.be