Understanding of the main types of geophysical and environmental models.

Understanding of geophysical and geodynamic processes;

Understanding and application of quantitative assessment tools in environmental geophysical and geodynamic fields

Part I. Introduction to geodynamic and environmental modeling:

• Analytical models;
• Numerical models;
• Analog models.

Part II: Analysis and modeling of spherical surface data:

• Introduction to spherical coordinates and differential operators;
• Harmonic functions;
• Complex spherical harmonics;
• Real spherical harmonics;
• Spherical harmonic expansions;
• Harmonic spectra.

Part III: Modeling of Gravity and the Shape of the Earth:

• Law of gravity;
• Moments of mass distribution;
• Earth's gravity field;
• Stokes coefficients;
• Gravity field models;
• Geoid undulations;
• Shape of the Earth;
• Rotation of the Earth.

Part IV: Rheological models in geodynamics:

• Basics of rheology;
• Elastic solids;
• Newtonian fluids;
• Maxwell fluids;
• Viscoelastic linear models.

Part V: Modeling of Earth deformations, glacial isostasy and sea level changes:

• Past and present climate framework in relation to changes in the hydrosphere and cryosphere;
• Sea level variations: data, models, case studies and the role of the solid Earth;
• Modeling of isostatic deformations and gravity variations for a spherical Earth model, associated with surface load variations;
• Interaction between hydrosphere, cryosphere and solid Earth: Glacio-hydro-isostatic adjustment  (GIA).

Part VI: Finite Elements and Finite Difference Methods for the Modeling of:

• Glacial masses dynamics;
• Ocean masses dynamics;
• Coastal hydrodynamics and geomorphodynamics;

Applying knowledge and understanding of quantitative geophysical models

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Frontal lectures; Exercises.

Attendance

Attendance is strongly recommended

Course books

• Geodynamics, Donald Turcotte and Gerald Schubert. Cambridge University Press, 2014

• Rheology of the Earth, Giorgio Ranalli. Chapman & Hall, 1995.

Assessment

The knowledge acquired will be assessed through an oral test during which the student will be asked to answer at least three questions on topics relating to the course program.

The possibility of presenting and discussing a thesis on topics relevant to the course will be guaranteed.

The evaluation will be based on the level of mastery of the knowledge acquired, the degree of articulation of the answer, the level of proficiency in the understanding of the different research methodologies.

The exam involves an evaluation that is expressed as a grade out of 30 as follows:
   • <18: insufficient level of competence
   • 18-20: sufficient level of competence
   • 21-23: moderate level of competence
   • 24-26: good level of competence
   • 27-29: outstanding level of competence
   • 30-30 cum laude: excellent level of competence

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Material prepared by the Teacher

Attendance

Attendance is strongly recommended. Possibility of interviews with the teacher.

Course books

• Geodynamics, Donald Turcotte and Gerald Schubert. Cambridge University Press, 2014

• Rheology of the Earth, Giorgio Ranalli. Chapman & Hall, 1995.

Assessment

Oral examination; Possibility of presenting and discussing a thesis on topics relevant to the course

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.