Physical Geography II: Hydrology

UZH

Enrollment is Closed

About This Course (Geo121 - FS24)

In this course, you will use Bernoulli and Darcy's laws to understand how water flows from one place to another, answer the question, "why is Zurich so foggy in the wintertime", and learn how salt can be used to measure discharge in a mountain stream.

You will be introduced to the different components and processes of the water cycle, through an understanding of water storage (snow, soil and groundwater) and water fluxes (evaporation, precipitation and runoff). You will also apply these concepts to several exercises that will supplement the lecture material.

We will use this platform to post lecture videos (on snow and evapotranspiration), experimental videos (by Allan Rodhe, Uppsala University and the H2K group) and quizzes on the video and in-class lecture content.

Course Book

Introduction to Physical Hydrology (M.R.Hendriks, Oxford University Press)

Relevant Book Chapters:

Ch 1, 2, 3.1-3.7, 3.12, 4.1- 4.5, 4.7, 4.9, 5.2, 5.3, C1-3 (Conceptual toolkits), M1-2 (Mathematics toolboxes)

In addition:

Spreafico, M., Weingartner, R., 2005: Hydrologie der Schweiz – Ausgewählte Aspekte und Resultate. Berichte des BWG, Serie Wasser Nr. 7, Bern.

Seibert, J., M. Jenicek, M. Huss and T. Ewen, 2015: Snow and Ice in the Hydrosphere, In: Snow and Ice-Related Hazards, Risks and Disasters, edited by W. Haeberli, C. Whiteman, J.F. Shroder Jr., Academic Press, Boston, Pages 99-137, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-394849-6.00004-4.

Course Team

Jan Seibert

Jan is Professor and Head of the Hydrology and Climate Group in the Geography Department.

Ilja van Meerveld

Ilja is a Group Leader in the Hydrology and Climate Group.

Teaching assistants

Anja Ehrensperger and Saskia Stierli