Courses are designed to provide students with fundamental as well as applied geological knowledge, essential tools for the sustainable management of the Geoenvironment. They include the presentation and analysis of theoretical geological principles and representative geological applications.

Upon successful completion of this course the students will have acquired knowledge and specific skills, especially on the following competences:

• They will be able to understand the basic principles and mechanisms closely connected with the geo-environment
• They will have familiarized themselves with strategies on how to approach and study geo-environmental problems.
• They will have experienced the problems created by a man-centered approach that ignores the laws of nature thus enhancing the environmental crisis

• Adaption ability
• Decision making
• Work autonomously
• Team working
• Protect the natural environment
• Cultivation of judgement and self-judgement ability
• Critical thinking and creative thinking development

Theory

• Geology and Human. Geosciences.
• Planet Earth, structure, properties. Geographic coordinates. Geological time.
• Endogenous Geodynamic Processes. Plate tectonic theory. Volcanism. Geotectonic and morphotectonic processes. Stress and strain. Folds. Orogenesis. Tectonic basins. Tectonic discontinuities. Faults. Seismicity. The Hellenic Orogen and the Hellenic Arc.
• Crystallization. Minerals and Rocks.  Geological formations. Geomechanical properties.
• Stratigraphy. Geostructures.
• Terrestrial and coastal geoenvironment.
• Climate. Hydrological cycle. Surface and underground waters. Hydrologic and hydrogeological characteristics.
• Exogenous geological processes. Weathering. Erosion.
• Natural resources.
• Geoenvironment and Geodiversity.
• Human impact on the Geoenvironment.
• Natural Hazards.  Failures phenomenon. Landslides and Slope failures. 
• Interaction of geological factors and anthropogenic influences in the geoenvironmental and engineering geological conditions. "Geofactors Interaction Matrix". 

Applications

Presentation of a wide range scientific geological researches and studies related to Applied Environmental Geology, elaborated in the framework of the Conservation, the Protection and the Encasement of the Geoenvironment, as well as in the frame of Water Resources Utilization, Spatial Planning and Urban Development, General Designs & Studies of Major Infrastructure Development Projects.

Laboratory exercises:

Ten lab exercises related to the following themes:

• Topographic maps at various scales.
• Geothematic Maps. Practice on their data.  Maps of Morphological Relief, Slopes, Geological Information, Tectonic Discontinuities, Geological Suitability, Hydrogeological characteristics, Engineering Geological properties etc.
• Geological compass - measurements. Geological Maps. Geological cross sections. Simple and complex geological structures.
• Matrix Representation of the various geofactors interaction in the geoenvironmental conditions

Assessment Method

• Final closed-book written exam, 70% of the grade
• Lab written exam 30% of the grade.

Textbooks (Eudoxus): Book code: 77106807: Rondoyanni Theodora (2018): "Geology. Fundamental Principles for Engineers".

Recommended reading:

•  Manoutsoglou Em (2013):  "Introduction to Geological Sciences - Environmental Geology".  Technical University of Crete.   Available at: https://www.eclass.tuc.gr/modules/document/index.php?course=MHXOP174&openDir=/5bc86713JtYP
• Vavliakis El." Lessons of Geography", e-book.  School of Geology. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Available at: http://www.geo.auth.gr/322/contents00.html
• Mountrakis D. " Geotectonic evolution of Greece and surrounding area". e-book: School of Geology. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Available at: http://www.geo.auth.gr/courses/ggg/ggg871y/
• Kilias A.   "Introduction to Tectonics".  e-book.  School of Geology.  Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Available at: http://www.geo.auth.gr/courses/ggg/ggg537y/
• Lozios, S., Soukis, K., Antoniou, V. (2015: "Geological mapping", ch 5.  e-book, available at :  https://repository.kallipos.gr/handle/11419/1278
• Kranis Ch., Antoniou, V. (2003): "Geological map, Part A, Basic principles and fundamental structure" e-book, available at :  http://labtect.geol.uoa.gr/pages/pdfs/GeolMaps
• Pavlaki Aik., Meladiotis I. & Pavlakis P. (2013): "Applicability of the Lefka Ori Western Crete Region Geofactors’ Interaction Matrix (GFIM), as a key to understanding the Engineering Geological Conditions".   Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece. Proceedings of the 13th International Congress, Chania, Sept 2013, vol. XLVII, No 3,   1820 - 1833.    Available at: https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/geosociety/article/view/11061/11089  

Links:

• Geological Society of Greece.  Available at: http://www.geosociety.gr
• Institute of Geodynamics. Available at: http://www.gein.noa.gr/en/
• NASA Earth Science. Available at: http://www.earth.nasa.gov
• Geology and Earth Sciences Online. Available at:  www.geology.com
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Available at: www.usgs.gov
• The Geological Society of America. Available at: http://www.geosociety.org/
• Le Brgm: Service, geologique national. Available at: https://www.brgm.fr/    
  • The French Geological Survey. Available at: https://www.brgm.eu/
• British Geological Survey (BGS). Available at: www.bgs.ac.uk