Earth surface processes

Duration

20h Th, 20h Pr

Number of credits

Lecturer

Aurelia Hubert

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

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).

Parts 4 and 5 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,. 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
- Learning how to enhance personal scientific knowledge based on individual work and communicating it to his peers.
 

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course includes a series of podcasts but will primarily be delivered in person.
The material will be further explored by building on the knowledge from the basic course and utilizing scientific publications. Several parts of the course will be examined in greater depth this way.

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

Face-to-face course


Further information:

In-person teaching, use of podcasts for independent listening, student oral presentations in person.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- MyULiège


Further information:

Podcast and pwp on MYUliege as well as the scientific papers used.

 

Anderson, R. S., & Anderson, S. P. (2010). Geomorphology: the mechanics and chemistry of landscapes. Cambridge University Press.

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam

Other : Oral Presentations and QCM


Further information:

Evaluation methods:

• Multiple-choice questions (on part 1): +1 if >15/20; +0.5 if >12/20; -1 for non-participation compared to the average obtained (see below)
  
  
• 50 to 60% based on oral presentations (outside exam session)
  
  
• 50 to 40% written exam during the exam session.
  
  

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Contacts

aurelia.ferrari@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs

Items online