Geoscience courses, such as geology and geomorphology, require not only classroom lessons and laboratory exercises, but field trips as well. However, the COVID-19 restrictions did not allow the execution of most planned field trips, and an alternative needed to be developed. The use of virtual field trips is one such alternative. Through this research, we evaluate the usefulness of virtual field trips as tools for preparatory activities before an actual field trip takes place in the same area, and their contribution in providing a better understanding of geomorphological processes and landscape evolution. We performed a virtual navigation on the island of Naxos, Cyclades (Aegean Sea, Greece) for a series of virtual field trips, which took place during webinars in the framework of Erasmus+ CIVIS. The virtual field trip was also presented to the third-year students of the Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, in the framework of the obligatory course of Geomorphology. Upon completion, all participating students were asked to fill in a questionnaire in order to evaluate the contribution of virtual field trips to their education regarding geomorphology and state their opinion as to whether they can supplement and/or substitute actual field trips. According to the results, virtual field trips can aid, but not substitute, the actual field trip. Most students mentioned that they would attend another virtual field trip in the future, both as an alternative to classroom lessons and as a means of preparation for an actual field trip, but not in order replace the actual one. Virtual field trips can significantly support the realization of actual ones, by introducing the necessary tectonic, geological and geomorphological background of a particular study area and offering more time for practical activities or field methodologies during the actual field trip.

The coastal zone may be considered as the location where the marine and land environments interact dynamically and coexist with human societies. Globally, natural and human systems are being severely threatened by the sea level rise related to climate change. The outcome between the dynamic relationship of coastal environments and marine processes, and the future sea level rise as predicted by scientific reports, is the vulnerability of coastal areas such as sandy beaches, pocket beaches and low-lying coastal areas. The current research aims to assess the coastal vulnerability of Ios Island, Cyclades, Greece for the next 100 years and to identify areas that are comparatively more vulnerable to future sea level changes. Moreover, the seasonal changes concerning sedimentological and morphological characteristics of two pocket beaches of Ios Island, Mylopotas and Magganari, are also examined. From the application of the Coastal Vulnerability Index, 92.37% of the total length of the coastline of Ios Island is characterized by a very low vulnerability as it consists of rocky shores and cliffs, while sandy and pocket beaches are characterized by a very high vulnerability. From the fieldworks and data processing, the seasonal changes mainly concern the seabed’s topography, the sediments’ texture of the collected sand samples, the foreshore and backshore topography, as well as seasonal shoreline displacement, using the Digital Shoreline Analysis System tool (DSAS).

Coastal erosion is a major coastal hazard in Greece. This work aimed to assess the perceptions of citizens about coastal erosion. We developed a questionnaire containing 25 questions that was distributed online and filled out by 1636 respondents. A surprising find was that 33% of the respondents were not aware of the phenomenon of coastal erosion. On the other hand, among those respondents who are aware of coastal erosion, there is a basic understanding of the major factors promoting erosion and its impacts. Responses also highlighted a lack of information and awareness from the media and public authorities, while the vast majority considered that protecting the coast from erosion should be important or a priority. Our findings stress the need for awareness-raising activities about this important natural hazard.