Geology and geomorphology: in search of erratic boulders
Great Lake of Avigliana from the morainic hill
Erratic masses
Avigliana's morainic hill trails
Morainic Hill of Avigliana
Great Lake of Avigliana from the morainic hill - Nadia Faure
Erratic masses - Simona Molino
Avigliana's morainic hill trails - Nadia Faure
Morainic Hill of Avigliana - Nadia Faure
Recipients
- Lower secondary school
- Upper secondary school
Objectives
- Provide a geographical, geological, and geomorphological overview of the morainic amphitheater of Rivoli-Avigliana and the Susa Valley in general
- Explore the theme of glacial dynamics and glaciations that occurred in the Quaternary
- Discover the territory from a geological, faunistic, and anthropological perspective
Recipients
- Lower secondary school
- Upper secondary school
Objectives
- Provide a geographical, geological, and geomorphological overview of the morainic amphitheater of Rivoli-Avigliana and the Susa Valley in general
- Explore the theme of glacial dynamics and glaciations that occurred in the Quaternary
- Discover the territory from a geological, faunistic, and anthropological perspective
The project aims to introduce students to the only testimony in the Piedmont region, along with the Ivrea morainic amphitheater, of a piedmont morainic amphitheater that constitutes a pleasant oasis of greenery and tranquility just a few kilometers away from urban chaos.
The Rivoli-Avigliana morainic amphitheater is located at the mouth of the Susa Valley in the plain west of Turin, between the Dora Riparia and Sangone rivers.
The landscape beauty of the morainic amphitheater overlaps with its paleo-environmental significance; its peculiar geological and geomorphological characteristics have been the stage for important prehistoric and historical events; the available natural resources have determined the development of particular forms, expressions, and attitudes of the local culture and, from a geo-conservation perspective, this formation represents a certainly precious and sensitive Piedmontese landscape.
The Rivoli-Avigliana morainic hill connects the protected area of the Lakes to the equipped area of the Rivoli hill, also touching the Moncuni biotope. In several points, there are ecological connections with the riverbeds of the Dora Riparia and Sangone. Although not easy to spot, the animals in the hill are numerous: small and large mammals populate the area (hedgehogs, badgers, hares, squirrels, dormice, dormice, bats, moles, weasels, martens, foxes, wild boars, roe deer) and also amphibians, reptiles, birds (about 60 species of which half are migratory and half are resident) and an interesting fauna of invertebrates including many species of butterflies, among others.
In the woods of the Avigliana morainic amphitheater, it is possible to encounter numerous and important erratic boulders, often of considerable size, silent witnesses of the Quaternary glaciation in these valleys. Erratic boulders still constitute the most spectacular and significant geological evidence today, testimonies of the presence of an ancient glacier and in particular of its ability to transport large materials over long distances.
Description
An excursion on the morainic hill behind Lake Avigliana and to the Mareschi marsh to discover the only testimony in the Piedmontese territory, along with the Ivrea morainic amphitheater, of a foothill morainic amphitheater
An educational activity to discover the geology and geomorphology of the area but also the fauna and flora of the Park through observation and team games.
Methodology
The proposal is structured in two parts:
- A preparatory 2-hour classroom meeting before going out into the field, to provide geographical, geological, and geomorphological framework of the morainic amphitheater of Rivoli-Avigliana and the Susa Valley in general. With a focus on glacial dynamics and glaciations that occurred in the Quaternary, leading to a discussion on what erratic boulders are and providing necessary knowledge for the field trip.
Availability of an interactive whiteboard (LIM) or a projector is required. - Excursion on the morainic hill of Avigliana near the Great Lake
Recommended period
All year round
Duration
- 2 consecutive hours class meeting
- Field trip: whole day
Trasporti
Train or bus
Recommended equipment
- Long pants
- Mountain boots or shoes with non-slip soles
- Backpack with packed lunch and water bottle
- Tick and mosquito repellent
- Paper and pen for writing
- K-way
For booking options, rates, and information, please consult the dedicated page
The project aims to introduce students to the only testimony in the Piedmont region, along with the Ivrea morainic amphitheater, of a piedmont morainic amphitheater that constitutes a pleasant oasis of greenery and tranquility just a few kilometers away from urban chaos.
The Rivoli-Avigliana morainic amphitheater is located at the mouth of the Susa Valley in the plain west of Turin, between the Dora Riparia and Sangone rivers.
The landscape beauty of the morainic amphitheater overlaps with its paleo-environmental significance; its peculiar geological and geomorphological characteristics have been the stage for important prehistoric and historical events; the available natural resources have determined the development of particular forms, expressions, and attitudes of the local culture and, from a geo-conservation perspective, this formation represents a certainly precious and sensitive Piedmontese landscape.
The Rivoli-Avigliana morainic hill connects the protected area of the Lakes to the equipped area of the Rivoli hill, also touching the Moncuni biotope. In several points, there are ecological connections with the riverbeds of the Dora Riparia and Sangone. Although not easy to spot, the animals in the hill are numerous: small and large mammals populate the area (hedgehogs, badgers, hares, squirrels, dormice, dormice, bats, moles, weasels, martens, foxes, wild boars, roe deer) and also amphibians, reptiles, birds (about 60 species of which half are migratory and half are resident) and an interesting fauna of invertebrates including many species of butterflies, among others.
In the woods of the Avigliana morainic amphitheater, it is possible to encounter numerous and important erratic boulders, often of considerable size, silent witnesses of the Quaternary glaciation in these valleys. Erratic boulders still constitute the most spectacular and significant geological evidence today, testimonies of the presence of an ancient glacier and in particular of its ability to transport large materials over long distances.
Description
An excursion on the morainic hill behind Lake Avigliana and to the Mareschi marsh to discover the only testimony in the Piedmontese territory, along with the Ivrea morainic amphitheater, of a foothill morainic amphitheater
An educational activity to discover the geology and geomorphology of the area but also the fauna and flora of the Park through observation and team games.
Methodology
The proposal is structured in two parts:
- A preparatory 2-hour classroom meeting before going out into the field, to provide geographical, geological, and geomorphological framework of the morainic amphitheater of Rivoli-Avigliana and the Susa Valley in general. With a focus on glacial dynamics and glaciations that occurred in the Quaternary, leading to a discussion on what erratic boulders are and providing necessary knowledge for the field trip.
Availability of an interactive whiteboard (LIM) or a projector is required. - Excursion on the morainic hill of Avigliana near the Great Lake
Recommended period
All year round
Duration
- 2 consecutive hours class meeting
- Field trip: whole day
Trasporti
Train or bus
Recommended equipment
- Long pants
- Mountain boots or shoes with non-slip soles
- Backpack with packed lunch and water bottle
- Tick and mosquito repellent
- Paper and pen for writing
- K-way
For booking options, rates, and information, please consult the dedicated page
