Unit EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE
- Course
- Geosciences for risk and environment management
- Study-unit Code
- A002184
- Location
- PERUGIA
- Curriculum
- Geosciences for environmental sustainability
- Teacher
- Diego Perugini
- Teachers
-
- Diego Perugini
- Hours
- 42 ore - Diego Perugini
- CFU
- 6
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2022
- Offered
- 2023/24
- Learning activities
- Caratterizzante
- Area
- Discipline mineralogiche, petrografiche e geochimiche
- Academic discipline
- GEO/07
- Type of study-unit
- Obbligatorio (Required)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa monodisciplinare
- Language of instruction
- English
- Contents
- This course provides a look at the Earth system as a whole. Emphasis will be on the interrelationships between biological, geological, climatological, and human systems on continental and global scales. The links between these systems will be illustrated by present-day processes and by the geologic record of selected events in Earth system history. The processes and interactions (cycles) among the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, from a global to local point-of-view, and across the time scales (minutes to eons) in which these spheres interact will be considered. These spheres can be thought of as four machines or systems that are connected together to make one larger machine - the whole Earth system.
- Reference texts
- Provided by the teacher
- Educational objectives
- The objectives of this course are to educate and train students on:
• how technologic advances permit new integrative science that wasn't possible before;
• how conceptual advances provide a new framework for Earth System science: chaos, self-organization, fuzzy logic, fractals, emergent properties of complex systems, Gaian regulation;
• how to move from the reductionistic approach (reverse engineering nature) to a holistic approach in order to understand the interactions between the different Earth systems;
• understanding of Earth system interactions and the mechanics of global warming and related changes in order to fulfill the social and political desire for such knowledge;
• how geologists, with their broad knowledge of geological processes, can play a crucial role in understanding and help mitigating the risks associated to changes of our planet. - Prerequisites
- Basic knowledge of natural sciences and earth sciences
- Teaching methods
- Lessons
- Other information
- -
- Learning verification modality
- Oral examination
- Extended program
- This course provides a look at the Earth system as a whole. Emphasis will be on the interrelationships between biological, geological, climatological, and human systems on continental and global scales. The links between these systems will be illustrated by present-day processes and by the geologic record of selected events in Earth system history. The processes and interactions (cycles) among the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, from a global to local point-of-view, and across the time scales (minutes to eons) in which these spheres interact will be considered. These spheres can be thought of as four machines or systems that are connected together to make one larger machine - the whole Earth system.
Topics
The major topics of this course are:
• multidisciplinary approach to the Earth system;
• computer modeling;
• integration of modern conceptual frameworks, including non-linear dynamics, chaos theory, initial conditions sensitivity;
• self-organization and emergent properties;
• Gaia (in its scientific form);
• scaling relationships (including fractals);
• distinguish between natural and anthropogenic factors affecting the climate- and Earth system;
• apply a model of Earth system components including the role of interactions and feedback mechanisms;
• find relevant information in literature, databases and other sources of information in support of conducting Earth system analysis.