Sciences and Teaching of Natural Systems

PAOLO MAZZANTI
PAOLO MAZZANTI

Educational goals:
The course aims to provide students with some basic elements for the full understanding of the concept of risk in the strictest sense of the term, offering an overview of the most relevant geological risk types, useful also for teaching of geology. Given the introductory level of the course in the training course will be provided theoretical basis of arguments not necessarily faced by students in previous courses. Particular attention will be paid to the specific role that the Earth sciences play in all phases of risk analysis: the definition of hazard levels at the choice of the most suitable techniques and methods for the implementation of prevention policies and protection from the effects of natural events of high intensity

Learning ouctomes:
At the end of the course the students will acquire basic knowledge on the dynamics of natural events that most commonly involve risk conditions (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, subsidence). Students will also approach the topic of risk analysis in a simple but rigorous, fully understanding the concept of dangerousness, more closely related aspect "geological" that contributes to the definition of risk. Students will also be provided a comprehensive overview on the applications of geology in the phases of definition of the levels of risk and implementation of actions aimed at mitigating

This course aims to provide students with fundamental knowledge regarding the concept of risk in its most rigorous sense, offering an overview of the most relevant geological risks. As an introductory course, theoretical foundations will be provided for topics that may not have been covered in prior courses. The course will focus on the specific role that Earth Sciences play in all risk analyses phases, from defining the hazardous levels to selecting more suitable techniques and methods for implementing prevention and protection policies against the effects of natural events with high intensity. By the end of the course, students will acquire basic knowledge of the dynamics of natural events that commonly cause risk (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, subsidence) and will approach risk analyses in a rigorous but simple manner, fully understanding the concept of hazard, which is closely related to the "geological" aspect that contributes to the definition of risk. Furthermore, students will be provided with a comprehensive overview of the applications of geology in the risk level defining phases and the implementation of actions aimed at its mitigation.

No specific requirement

Introduction: goals, contents and organization.
Geological risks in mankind history.
Risk concept and risk equation: Hazard, Vulnerability and Exposure.
Geohazards and geological processes:
- earthquake and seismic waves: magnitude and intensity; seismic hazard at national and local scale; “un”predictability of earthquakes; seismic induced effects (ground shaking, tsunami, liquefaction, landslides);
- volcanoes and eruption dynamics; magnitude and intensity; volcanic hazard; forecast of volcanic unrest; induced effects (ash cloud and air visibility, air breathing, seismic shaking, tsunami, lahars);
- flood: intensity and relation with hydrologic cycle; river discharge regime; hydraulic hazard at different scale; flood forecast; induced effects (erosion and landslides, etc.);
- landslides and their classification; landslide hazard assessment; predisposing and triggering factors of landslide; approaches for failure prediction; induced effects (tsunami, flash flood, dam breach);
- subsidence and sink-hole, groundwater and soil pollution, soil and beach erosion;
- cascading events and multihazard approach.
Vulnerable elements (people, buildings, infrastructures, socio-economic activities) and value of exposed elements based on economic, social and insurance criteria.
The risk cycle and relevant actors (governmental and public organizations at national and local level, volunteer associations, insurance companies, private companies, citizens) and the chain of custody in risk management.
Laws and acts in risk management; contributions by Earth Sciences within risk mitigation activities.
Tools and methods for risk reconnaissance:
- identification and mapping from Earth and space of geological processes potentially inducing risk conditions;
- susceptibility vs hazard and return period.
Tools and models for risk analysis:
- quantitavive risk assessment and economic implications;
- risk and scenario analysis;
- concept of tolerable, acceptable, unacceptable risk and risk matrices.
Risk mitigation strategies
- prediction prevention and control;
- priority criteria for emergency actions and resources management;
- structural and non structural actions;
- living with georisks.
Risk communication and psychological implications; resilience.
Case studies and examples of risk management (tailing dams, Vajont slide, Bingham Canyon landslides, volcanic eruptions in Stromboli, Mt. Etna and Mt. Sant Helen).
Conclusions, wrap up, things to take home.

- Natural Disaster Risk Management. Geosciences and Social Responsibility. Authors: Ranke, Ulrich 2016. Springer Verlag.
- Encyclopedia of Natural Hazards. Editors: Bobrowsky, Peter T. (Ed.), 2013. Springer Verlag.

Frontal lessons with remote access

Attendance Suggested

The examination will consist of:
- written test with 16 questions (12 with multiple answers) and 4 open answers (20 minutes available) [20/30 points]
- preparation of a 5 minutes video describing a geological hazard and describing the analyses and mitigation options to be sent the day before of the written examination. [14/30 points]
Only students who achieve a minimum score of 8 points on the written test will be permitted to have their videos evaluated.

OPEN QUESTIONS
1) In a maximum of 350 characters, differentiate between landslide and subsidence.
2) Summarize the major geological hazards in a maximum of 250 characters.

MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
1) Which of the following geological phenomena pose a difficult challenge in terms of temporal prediction for assessing risks?
a. Floods
b. Landslides
c. Volcanic eruptions
d. Earthquakes

2) What is the unit of measurement for risk in geological hazards?
a. Magnitude
b. Time
c. Economic value
d. Safety
e. None of the above