651-4902-00L Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology of the Alps
Semester | Spring Semester 2021 |
Lecturers | S. Ivy Ochs, N. Akçar, U. H. Fischer |
Periodicity | yearly recurring course |
Language of instruction | English |
Comment | Geography and Earth System Sciences students UZH may attend the lecture but will have to pay the full amount for the excursion (no subsidies from UZH). |
Courses
Number | Title | Hours | Lecturers | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
651-4902-00 V | Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology of the Alps In addition Field trip | 2 hrs |
| S. Ivy Ochs, N. Akçar, U. H. Fischer |
Catalogue data
Abstract | After a brief introduction to the scientific principles of glaciology, we survey the present state of knowledge on Pleistocene glacial periods and post-glacial landscape modification in the Alps. Emphasis is on understanding modes of formation of landscape elements attributable to glacial, glaciofluvial, periglacial, fluvial, hillslope, and mass wasting processes. |
Objective | Through a combination of lectures, classroom practical exercises, and field mapping of Quaternary landforms, an intuitive understanding of the formation and evolution of the landscape of the Alps and the forelands will be built up. We focus on development of the following skills: landform recognition on remote imagery and in the field; depositional process identification based on sediment characterization; reconstruction of valley-scale geomorphological evolutionary sequences. |
Content | The following topics will be covered: glacier mass and energy balance; glacier motion; glacier hydrology; glacial erosion; glacial sediment balance; piedmont and valley glacier landsystems; till formation; glaciofluvial sediments; alluvial and debris-flow fan processes; Alpine rock slope failure landform/sediment associations; Alpine Quaternary stratigraphy; long-term uplift and denudation of the Alps. |
Lecture notes | Slides from the lectures will be made available. |
Literature | Lists of key scientific articles will be given for each topic. Relevant scientific articles will be distributed during the course. |
Prerequisites / Notice | Students registering for the course confirm having read and accepted the terms and conditions for excursions and field courses of D-ERDW Link Required attendance at lectures and excurisions (several 1-day excursions during the semester and one 3-day field mapping session during the summer). Geography and Earth System Sciences students UZH may attend this excursion at full costs (no subsidies from UZH). Grading will be a combination of classroom participation, student presentations, practical exercises, field reports, and field maps from the excursions. |
Performance assessment
Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again) | |
Performance assessment as a semester course | |
ECTS credits | 3 credits |
Examiners | S. Ivy Ochs, N. Akçar, U. H. Fischer |
Type | graded semester performance |
Language of examination | English |
Repetition | Repetition possible without re-enrolling for the course unit. |
Learning materials
Main link | Information on Excursions and Field Courses of D-ERDW |
Additional links | Terms and Conditions for Excursions and Field Courses at D-ERDW |
Only public learning materials are listed. |
Groups
No information on groups available. |
Restrictions
Places | 20 at the most |
Priority | Registration for the course unit is until 15.02.2021 only possible for the primary target group |
Primary target group | Earth Sciences MSc (660000)
Applied Geophysics MSc (662000) Doctorate Earth Sciences (664002) Doctorate Earth Sciences ETH-UZH (665000) Doctorate Earth Sciencess UZH-ETH (665100) Earth and Climate Sciences (Mobility) (674000) |
Waiting list | until 20.02.2021 |
End of registration period | Registration only possible until 21.03.2021 |
Offered in
Programme | Section | Type | |
---|---|---|---|
Earth Sciences Master | Sedimentology: Courses of Choice | W | |
Earth Sciences Master | Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology | O |