Learning Goals

At the end of the course the student has knowledge of the Earth system and its place in the Solar System. Knowledge of the relations between Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere and Biosphere, and questions of jurisdiction relating to the geological environment and territory. Cartography, based on an analysis of the historical evolution, provides a basic knowledge of the Italian cartographic system. Ability to interpret topographic maps, geographic coordinates and calculation of mileage, performance of topographic profiles of cartographic documents at different scales, boundary basins.

Prerequisites

Knowledge of geometry

Course Syllabus

The course will consist of lectures and laboratory work. Introduction to geography Heavenly environment: The position of the stars. The characteristics of the stars. The evolution of celestial bodies. Galaxies and the structure of the Universe. Origin and evolution of the Universe. The Solar System: The bodies of the Solar System. The Sun Star Solar activity. The planets of the Solar System. The smaller bodies. Origin and evolution of the Solar System. Planet Earth: The shape and size of the Earth. Earth movements. Tests and consequences of the Earth's rotation. Tests and consequences of the revolution of the Earth. The ground motions with millennial periods. The Moon and the Earth - Moon System: Features of the Moon. Movements of the Moon and the Earth-Moon system. Phases of the moon and eclipses. The lunar landscape. Composition of the surface and the interior of the Moon. Origin and evolution of the Moon. The earth's crust: rocks and minerals: Minerals. The rocks. Magmatic rocks. Sedimentary rocks. Metamorphic rocks. The geographic position and deformation of rocks: Elements of Stratigraphy. Tectonic elements. The volcanic phenomena: The volcanism. Buildings, volcanic eruptions and products of volcanic activity. Effusive and explosive volcanism. The seismic phenomena: The study of earthquakes. Propagation and recording of seismic waves. The strength of an earthquake. The effects of the earthquake. The interior of the Earth. Geographical distribution of earthquakes. Defense against earthquakes. The Plate Tectonics: The internal dynamics of the Earth. The heat flux. The Earth's magnetic field. The structure of the crust. The expansion of the ocean. The magnetic anomalies on the ocean floor. The Plate Tectonics. The verification of the model. Convection and hot spots. The marine environment: The morphological and geological seabed. The chemical and physical properties of water and life in the sea. The movements of the sea. The glaciers and continental waters: The water cycle. The permanent snow, glaciers. Groundwater and springs. The waterways. The lakes. Modeling of the relief terrestrial: geodynamic forces. Weathering. The landslides. The morphologic action of the wind. The action of surface morphology. The karst. The morphological action of glaciers. The action of the sea on the coast. The coastal dynamics. The Earth's atmosphere and weather: Composition and distribution limit of the atmosphere. Solar radiation. The air temperature. Atmospheric pressure and winds. The general circulation of the atmosphere. The air humidity and precipitation. The cyclonic weather disturbances. Climate: From weather to climate. Climates, rocks, bodies and the existence of soils. Classification of climates. Characteristics and geographical distribution of different climates. The changes in the climate. The risk of global warming pollution. Cartography Generality on the maps: Classification of maps. Methods of presentation, making projections as well, change projections, projections conventional. The construction of the maps. The symbolism chart. Geodesy: The shape and size of the Earth. Kepler's laws. Ellipsoid. Geoid. Reference system. Reference system used in Italy. Projections. The Italian Cartographic System: Considerations on the Italian Official Cartography. The cartography International. Reading and use of maps: The scale. Contour lines or contour lines. The equidistance of a maps. Location and elevation of a point. Geographic coordinates and mileage. Slopes. Profile topography.