Daniel Farinotti: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2020

Name Prof. Dr. Daniel Farinotti
FieldGlaciology
Address
Professur für Glaziologie
ETH Zürich, HIA D 56.2
Hönggerbergring 26
8093 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 632 54 12
E-maildaniel.farinotti@ethz.ch
DepartmentCivil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering
RelationshipAssociate Professor

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
101-0289-00LApplied Glaciology Information 4 credits2GD. Farinotti, A. Bauder, M. Werder
AbstractThe course transmits fundamental knowledge for treating applied glaciological problems. Topics include climate-glacier interactions, glacier ice flow, glacier hydrology, ice avalanches, and lake ice.
ObjectiveThe objectives of the courses are to:
- learn about fundamental glaciological processes, including glacier mass balance, ice dynamics, and glacier-related hazards;
- apply the above knowledge to some case studies inspired by contract-works performed at ETH's Glaciology section;
- generate the own computer code to solve the above case studies, and interpret the results;
- understand, both in class and in the field, the practical relevance of glaciology, with a focus on the Swiss applications.
ContentThe course will develop along the following outline:
- How glaciology became a scientific discipline
- Glaciology and hydropower
- Glacier mechanics and ice flow
- Gravitational glacier instabilities
- Glacier hydrology and glacier lake outbursts
- Lake ice and ice bearing capacity
- Field excursion to Jungfraujoch
- Discussion of the exercises performed during the semester
Lecture notesDigital lecture handouts will be distributed prior to each class.
LiteratureLinks to relevant literature will be provided during the classes.
Prerequisites / NoticeCompleted BSc studies. Basic knowledge in computer scripting in any language (e.g. Python, R, Julia, Matlab, IDL, ...) will be advantageous for solving the exercises. The exercises will be performed in groups. A minimal level of fitness is required for the field excursion.
651-3561-00LCryosphere3 credits2VM. Huss, A. Bauder, D. Farinotti
AbstractThe course introduces the different components of the cryosphere - snow, glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice and lake ice, and permafrost - and their respective roles in the climate system. For each subsystem, essential physical aspects are emphasized, and their dynamics are described quantitatively and using examples.
ObjectiveStudents are able to
- qualitatively explain relevant processes, feedbacks and relationships between the different components of the cryosphere,
- quantify and interpret physical processes, which determine the state of the cryospheric components, with simple calculations.
ContentThe course provides an introduction into the various components of the cryosphere: snow, glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice and lake ice, permafrost, and their roles in the climate system. Essential physical aspects are emphasized for each subsystem: e.g. the material properties of ice, mass balance and dynamics of glaciers, or the energy balance of sea ice.
Lecture notesHandouts will be distributed during the teaching semester
LiteratureBenn, D., & Evans, D. J. (2014). Glaciers and glaciation. Routledge.
Cuffey, K. M., & Paterson, W. S. B. (2010). The physics of glaciers. Academic Press.
Hooke, R. L. (2019). Principles of glacier mechanics. Cambridge University Press.

Further literature will be indicated during the lecture.