Duration
25h Th, 12h Pr
Number of credits
| Master in geography : climatology (120 ECTS) | 4 crédits | |||
| Master in geography, global change (120 ECTS) | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The course comprises 4 parts.
Part 1 is a general introduction to the different earth components: the lithosphere (composition, type, physical properties, earthquakes, isostatic rebound, plate tectonics), the atmosphere (composition, vertical structures, characteristics, radiation pattern, green house gas effect, energy transport with climate, wind and atmospheric circulation, geological context of climate changes), the Hydrosphere (water properties, composition, chemistry, oceans, physical properties), the biosphere.
Part 2 focuses on the Earth Surface State (Rock or unconsolidated sediments) with 4 chapters. First one focuses on generalities about the earth surface (definition of weathering/erosion, denudation), the second chapter focuses on the weathering of rocks and soil production (definition of regolith, mechanical weathering and stress concentration, chemical weathering and the concentration of chemical elements in water, the role of water, temperature, CO2, Soil, and soil formation, soil zonation with climate and evolution with time. Long-term weathering and the carbon cycle), the third one on the consequences of weathering (physical properties of the weathered profile, consequences of physical weathering), the fourth one on the properties of the earth surface (rheology of rock, soil, weak sediments, time dependent behavior, strength).
Part 3 is about Water action at the earth surfaces (drainage basins, water balance, groundwater, vadose zone, soil moisture, hydraulic conductivity, Darcy law, infiltration, overland flow, runoff).
Part 4 deals with the 2 components of the earth surface: slopes and rivers. Chapter 1 about hillslopes ( 1) evidences the difference between rock slope and slope covered by a soil that has different mechanical properties, (2) focuses on soil covered slope and how it can be modeled using the diffusion equation based on the conservation of the mass, on diffusive hillslopes, rainsplash modeling, (3) includes on a practical exercise about lake scarps. Chapter 2 about river focuses on (1) transition between slope and river, (2) bedrock river channels and mechanical models (stream power model), (3) alluvial rivers (water balance, process response model, modeling based on the mass conservation), (4) alluvial fans
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
- A general understanding of the earth surface and its properties that is necessary for the other courses
- means of equation (so-called 'modelling') of some earth surface processes using the diffusion equation
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Theorical courses (20h) and practical exercises (10h) about isostatic rebound, water in soil (Darcy law), and diffusion equations. Practical exercises need to be prepared or presented orally and are quoted.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)
Teaching face to face
Recommended or required readings
Powerpoint presentation on eCampus
Anderson, R. S., & Anderson, S. P. (2010). Geomorphology: the mechanics and chemistry of landscapes. Cambridge University Press.
Assessment methods and criteria
Evaluation:
Ø 50% based on the theoretical course.
Ø 50% based on the practical exercises. It is mandatory to give a quoted report on the practical exercises even with a course failure.
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
Contacts
aurelia.ferrari@uliege.be