Climatic geomorphology, Part A

Duration

15h Th, 10h 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

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Partim A: The course focuses on processes and associated landforms in the glacial and periglacial environments. It stresses the impact of Global warming on the 2 different environments.

For the glacial part, we focus on different glacial environments (Antartica, Greenland) and mountain glaciers 2) Mass balance, ice flow, dynamics, ...3) mountain glaciers dynamics, network and associated geomorphology. The sensitivity of the system to global warming is discussed as well as the glacial geomorphology inherited from the Last Glacial Maximum. 

For the periglacial part, we focus on defining 1) what is a periglacial zone and 2) the permafrost, 3) what are the consequences of thawing permafrost in relation with global warming , 3) ice, 5-6) specificities: mass transport, cryoturbation, rivers ... 


The course is divided into 3 parts: a formal course, practical exercise, and fieldwork.

The fieldwork is focusing mainly on the inherited glacial geomorphology of the Vosges Mountains in France. The practical exercises are exploiting the fieldwork, and focuses on the sedimentary section in a glacial deposit acquired in the field and on evidencing glacial geomorphology in a Digital Elevation Model using ArcGIS.



 

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The objective of the lectures 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 necessary knowledge for in-depth understanding and discussion about the impact of Global warming.

Practical exercises provide a basis for consolidating the geomorphological mapping achievements and for further progress in the use of digital topography and the ArcGIS software commonly used in physical geography.
 

The podcasts on the arid and tropical chapters allow students to work independently and deepen their understanding of the material through the study and presentation of a scientific article.

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.



 

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

The part A of the lectures last 3 hours and practical exercises 3 hours during the first part of the year.


Practical exercises are mandatory and evaluated.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Ø PowerPoint Files of the lectures are available.


Ø Other documents that can be made available

o Lectures Notes of Mr. E. Juvigné en Glacial Geomorphology.

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.

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam

Written work / report

Other : Oral presentations and QCM


Further information:

Evaluation will be as following.

For students following partim A and B

 The following allocation will be proposed:

Ø 40% based on a writing exam;

 Ø if underperforming, oral exam during the second examination; but practical exercises need to be completed, as well as recorded oral presentation

Ø 30% oral presenation on  publications in relation with arid areas;

Ø 30% based on reports during practical sessions;.

Pour les étudiants suivant les partim A:

Ø 60% based on a writing exam;

Ø 40% based on practical exercises;.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

The cost of the educational trip is around 200 euros, depending on accommodation and vehicles.

Contacts

Aurélia Hubert-Ferrari
tél. 04/366 93 95
email : aurelia.ferrari@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs

Items online