Period: Second Semester

Course Unit Contents:

SNOW
Snow cover formation: precipitation, deposition, redistribution by wind and avalanches
Snow metamorphism: types of metamorphism, controls, vertical profile of the snowcover
Snow cover depletion: energy balance, melt
Snow and climate: snow cover effects on the atmosphere and on the ground (local, regional, global scale), snow cover response to climate change
Snow measurement techniques: snowfall measurements, snowcover depth and water equivalent, snow surveying, remote sensing

GLACIERS
Processes of accumulation and ablation
Energy and mass balance
The equilibrium line: precipitation-temperature relationship, glaciation levels and thresholds, glacier sensitivity to climate change
Glacier morphology: ice sheets and ice caps, glaciers constrained by topography, ice shelves
Thermal structure of glaciers
Glacier motion
Glacial landforms and landscapes: glacial erosion, debris entrainment, debris transport, debris deposition
Glaciers and climate change: present and past distribution of glaciers, response of glaciers and ice sheets to climate change, glaciers and sea-level change
Glacial hazards
Glacier measurements and monitoring techniques

PERMAFROST
The periglacial domain: climate controls
Polar and alpine periglacial landscapes
Present-day periglacial environments: cold-climate weathering, permafrost, surface features of permafrost, ground ice, thermokarst, hillslope processes and slope evolution
Quaternary periglacial conditions, evidence for past permafrost
Permafrost and climate change: current rapid transformations and projected future evolution, permafrost hazards
Permafrost monitoring techniques

Planned learning activities and teaching methods: Frontal lectures, numerical exercises, use of topographic and geomorphological maps, use of the computer (GIS software and spreadsheet), field surveys.

In addition to contacting the course instructor, students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), Special Educational Needs (SEN), and other health conditions can reach out to the Student Services Office - Inclusion Unit to receive more information about opportunities to access teaching with specific support and tools.

Last modified: Wednesday, 6 August 2025, 4:01 PM