COASTAL GEOLOGICAL PROCESSES AND RISKS

This teaching is included among the core courses within the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services curriculum.
The main purpose of the course is to provide the tools for understanding coastal systems and their associated risks.

By the end of the course, students will have acquired advanced knowledge about the functioning of coastal environments, including the hazards (both natural and anthropogenic) to which they are subjected at different time scales.

Knowledge of Earth Sciences, Sedimentology, Geomorphology, Basic Physics.

1 - Introduction and review of main concepts
Introduction of the course, review of basic concepts on coastal geomorphology: morphologies and processes.

2 - Processes and time scales
Coastal processes at different time scales and intensities

3 - Coastal hazards.
Main coastal hazards due to both natural and anthropogenic processes

4 - Survey methods.
Direct survey methods in the coastal environment (e.g., satellite data, ground surveys, drone surveys) and hints on coastal hydrodynamic models

6 - Finding datasets on coastal processes, morphologies and hazards
Where to find open-access datasets on processes (e.g., waves, tides), morphologies (e.g., beach slopes) and hazards (e.g., tsunamis)

7 - Exercise.
Using the CoastSAT tool and XBEACH model to conduct coastal studies.

8 - Seminars
Seminars by industry professionals and/or academics active in the study of coastal hazards

Slides handed by the teacher, and video tutorials for exercises.

Writing of a report of the exercise on a predetermined coastal area in consultation with the teacher.

Lectures.
Seminars on specific topics
Laboratory activities

Italian

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Climate change and energy" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development