Universität Wien
Warning! The directory is not yet complete and will be amended until the beginning of the term.

290010 UE Understanding, analysing and modelling Earth Surface Dynamics (2025S)

Alps

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 29 - Geographie
Continuous assessment of course work

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Block 1 | Glaciers and Climate Change
06.03., 20.03., 03.04.

Block 2 | Modelling Glacial Retreat
08.05., 22.05., 05.06., 12.06.

Excursion to Tyrol (Ötztal Alps and Zillertal Alps) in July

  • Thursday 20.03. 08:00 - 09:30 Hörsaal 4C Geographie NIG 4.OG C0409
  • Thursday 03.04. 08:00 - 09:30 Hörsaal 4C Geographie NIG 4.OG C0409
  • Thursday 08.05. 08:00 - 09:30 Hörsaal 4C Geographie NIG 4.OG C0409
  • Thursday 22.05. 08:00 - 09:30 Hörsaal 4C Geographie NIG 4.OG C0409
  • Thursday 05.06. 08:00 - 09:30 Hörsaal 4C Geographie NIG 4.OG C0409
  • Thursday 12.06. 08:00 - 09:30 Hörsaal 4C Geographie NIG 4.OG C0409

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course provides an in-depth exploration of glaciers, their formation, movement, and their critical role in Earth's climate and water system. The lecture is structured in two blocks: The first block covers fundamental concepts, including glacier types, distribution, and the processes that shape glacial landscapes. Additionally, it examines the relationship between glaciers and climate change, addressing evidence of glacial retreat, its causes, consequences, and potential mitigation strategies.
In the second block, the focus shifts to glacier measurement and modelling. The students will learn how to analyze glacier length changes and simulate glacial retreat under different Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios using Python-based modelling techniques. The glaciers under study will be examined in greater detail during an excursion to the Ötztal and Zillertal regions (Tyrol) in July.

By the end of the course, students will have a strong understanding of glaciological processes, climate interactions, and computational modeling techniques for studying glacier behavior in a changing world.

Contents:
- Definitions associated with global climate changes and IPCC’s predictions
- Glacial geomorphology: past and present glacier structures
- Mapping and modelling of glacier evolution under climate change
- Glacier investigation in the field: excursion to the Alps (Tyrol)

Assessment and permitted materials

The final grade will consist of the following components:
- Individual presentation on a selected glacial process/landform in the field
- Presentation of glacier modelling results
- Active participation in the lecture and in the field

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The grade is based on the allocation of points. The maximum attainable points are 100 points. For positive evaluation, the following minimum requirements must be fulfilled.
- Constant attendance and participation in the excursion: Mandatory
- Presentation in the field: 40%
- Glacier modelling (essay and presentation): 50%
- Active participation: 10%

Grading system:
>=90 points: very good
77-89 points: good
66-76 points: satisfactory
55-65 points: adequate
< 55 points: unsatisfactory

Examination topics

Content of the lectures, the presentations and the excursion.

Reading list

Will be communicated during the introductory seminar.

Association in the course directory

(MG21 APF SURFSPEC)

Last modified: Mo 10.02.2025 13:46