Digital Topography and Geomorphology Practical

Abstract

The abundance of data that describes the shape and the physical properties of the Earth's surface provides us with the opportunity to understand the interactions between the solid Earth, the biosphere and the atmosphere. It allows researchers to detect and quantify tectonic, climatic and geomorphic signatures preserved in the landscape.

Objective

This course will teach the basic methods available through GIS tools, and spatially-based computations based on standard, publicly available data. We will also learn about conversions beween standard formats, visualization methods, data extraction and standard geomorphic analyses.

Content

Topographic data, as well as satellite and aerial photography became widely available during the last decade and are now extremely common in virtually any field of Earth Sciences. This data allows researchers to detect and quantify tectonic, climatic and geomorphic signatures preserved in the landscape. This includes, but is not limited to, the topographic expression of active faults, different tectonic and climate forcings, and various geomorphic process regimes. During this half-semester course (first half-semester) students will learn how to analyze and interpret digital topographic data to improve understanding of how landscapes record tectonic and geomorphic processes through a series of case-studies and hands-on practicals.

Resources