Earth & Space Sciences

This course examines the processes of geological hazards and how they impact on society, with some attention given to techniques and strategies for hazard mitigation. It covers earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, liquefaction, rockfall, and flooding.

This course covers heat budget of the Earth, heat transport to the Earth´s surface, geothermal systems and their structure, renewability of geothermal systems, methodology in geothermal development, estimation of resource size, fluid origin and chemistry, water-rock interaction, environmental impact of utilization, and well testing and well data integration.  

The course introduces fundamental concepts of Earth systems science with reference to its major subsystems: geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and anthroposphere. It illustrates how material and energy are cycled through the Earth system; describe the links between biotic and abiotic systems and their role in maintaining a habitable planet; applies an Earth systems approach to describe the phenomena of environmental and climate change; discriminates between ‘weather’ and ‘climate’ and situates concerns about current climate change in a longer-term (geological) context; identifies how human activities modify Earth system function; and applies core concepts in geography and geoscience to real-world examples.

This introduction to Earth Systems Science examines the key interactions between the different spheres of planet Earth: the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and the anthroposphere. In particular, students develop an understanding of the holistic view and thinking about interconnections and interrelationships in the earth’s systems and subsystems. This course highlights key concepts shaping Earth Systems Science, such as sustainability, planetary boundaries and safe operating spaces.