| CODE | EMP1009 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Dynamics of the Earth: Geomorphological Processes | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Environmental Management and Planning | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit presents an extensive review of geomorphological processes (slope, glacial, aeolian and shoreline processes) and hydrological processes (riverine and groundwater systems) to reflect their contribution to the shaping of the earth's surface. The hydrology component will address both surface water and ground water. In the former case, processes of stream erosion and transport and stream channel formation will be reviewed, together with a discussion of stream channel patterns and riverine features. The discussion of groundwater systems will consider dynamics of groundwater flow, together with subsurface and surface geomorphological features. The review of slope, glacial, aeolian and shoreline systems will address (i) processes operating within these systems, and (ii) the landforms that result. The discussion of slope systems will address the balance of forces operating on slopes as well as various processes of mass wasting. The overview of glacial systems will cover the formation of glaciers and the main erosional and depositional features which these create. The aeolian component will describe the processes of weathering and erosion due to wind agents, together with the erosional and depositional features that these produce. The shoreline processes component will consider the strong linkages that occur between inshore, oceanographic and geomorphological processes including those of weathering, erosion, transportation and deposition and landform formation. The coastal environment of the Maltese Islands and local fieldwork sessions will be used as a case study for such processes and to provide a basic understanding of the local geomorphological environment. Study-unit Aims: The main aim of this study-unit is to provide students with: - an understanding of global geomorphologic processes taking place and of how these shape the earth's physical environment; - knowledge on how the landforms present on Earth are a product of various factors, including geological characteristics and structure, and erosional and depositional processes carried out by various agents (water, wind, ice and waves); - a familiarization with geomorphological landforms occurring in the Maltese Islands, and an explanation of the processes that have led to their formation. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: a. Describe global geomorphological processes, their evolution and action on the topography of the earth, specifically: - Hydrological processes (e.g. permeability, porosity, aquifers, karst, stream patterns and processes). - Slope processes: (e.g. mass movement, stresses, shear strength, rilling, gullying). - Glacial processes: (e.g. glacier formation, moraines, glacial landforms). - Aeolian processes: (e.g. aeolian landforms; terminal and threshold fall velocities; sand transport; sand dune formation/erosion). - Shoreline processes: (e.g. coastline types and energy, waves, currents, tides, longshore sediment transport, coastal geomorphology); b. Explain the different scales (temporal and spatial) at which such geomorphological processes may act; c. Describe the key elements of fluvial and groundwater systems; d. Discuss landform history and dynamics as a product of anthropogenic actions and natural processes. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: a. Predict future changes to the earth's landforms, on the basis of knowledge of the characteristics of these features and an understanding of processes taking place; b. Evaluate the impact of human activities on geomorphological processes and/or the way in which human activities interact with geomorphological processes; c. Apply knowledge of global processes to achieve a better understanding of the local Maltese environment. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Gregory, K. J., 2010. The Earth's Land Surface: Landforms and Processes in Geomorphology. Sage Publications. 1st Edition. ISBN: 978-184-860-620-3. - Cooke, R. U. & Doornkamp, J. C., 1990. Geomorphology in Environmental Management. Oxford University Press. 2nd edition. ISBN: 978-019-874-151-0. - Pethick, J., 1994. An Introduction to Coastal Geomorphology. Edward Arnold. Revised edition - 1984. ISBN: 978-047-024-961-1. Supplementary texts: - Masselink, G. & Hughes, M. G., 2003. Introduction to Coastal Processes and Geomorphology. Hodder Arnold. ISBN: 0-340-76411-2. - Huggett, R., 2007. Fundamentals of Geomorphology. Routledge. 2nd Edition. ISBN: 978-041-524-145-8. - Hooke, J. M., 1988. Geomorphology in Environmental Planning. John Wiley & Sons Ltd. 1st Edition. ISBN: 0-471-919-88-8. - Goudie, A. (and contributors), 1990. Geomorphological Techniques. Unwin Hyman Ltd. 2nd Edition. ISBN: ISBN: 004-445-715-4. - Anderson, R. S. & Anderson, S. P., 2010. Geomorphology: The Mechanics and Chemistry of Landscapes. Cambridge University Press. 1st Edition. ISBN: 978-052-151-978-6.- Christiansen, E. H. & Hamblin, W. K., 2008. Earth's Dynamic Systems. 10th Edition. ISBN: 978-013-142-066-3. - Tarbuck, E. J., Lutgens, F. & Tasa, D., 2010. Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology. Prentice Hall. 7th Edition. ISBN: 978-013-092-025-6. - Holden, J., 2008. An Introduction to Physical Geography and the Environment. 2nd Edition. ISBN: 978-140-826-329-7. |
|||||||||
| RULES/CONDITIONS | While TAKING THIS UNIT YOU MUST TAKE EMP1008 | |||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Fieldwork | |||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
|
|||||||||
| LECTURER/S | Louis Francis Cassar Belinda Gambin Anthony Stephen Micallef (Co-ord.) |
|||||||||
|
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
||||||||||