Dynamics of Hydrosphere, Atmosphere and Earth's Surface

Period: Second semester

Course unit contents: 

DYNAMICS OF THE ATMOSPHERE
Composition of the Atmosphere. Processes that influence the behavior of the atmosphere. Vertical structure. Weather and Climate. Energy, heat, and temperature. Radiative processes. Warming and cooling processes. Earth’s energy budget. Global energy transfer. Atmospheric pressure. Wind. General circulation of the atmosphere. Properties of water. Phase changes. Clouds. Adiabatic processes. Precipitation. Thermodynamic diagram.

DYNAMICS OF THE HYDROSPHERE
The hydrological cycle. Physical properties of the ocean and water masses. Wind and buoyancy driven ocean circulation. Tides and waves. Evaporation and precipitation processes. Rivers and lakes. The hydrological balance. Formation, movement, and physical characteristics of the glaciers. Glacier budget and response to climate change. Causes of glaciations, and trends in modern glacier cover. Climate response of seasonal snow cover. Permafrost distribution and climatic response. Cryosphere-related water resources. Cryosphere-driven hydrological response. Feedbacks between water masses, cryosphere components and the atmosphere.

DYNAMICS OF THE EARTH’S SURFACE
Basic concepts in geomorphology. Landforms and geomorphological processes: structural and tectonic landforms; weathering and soils; slope processes; fluvial processes and landforms; karst processes and landforms; aeolian forms and processes; coastal landforms and processes.
Laboratory: use of topographic maps and Google Earth for the analysis of landforms and processes.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods: Frontal lectures with numerical exercises; laboratory using topographic maps, geomorphological maps and Google Earth.