Download Bachelor Degree in Geological Sciences

Degree in Geological Sciences
Università di Pavia
FIRST YEAR
First semester
Course
Introduction to Geology
Mathematics and Informatics
Chemistry
English
CFU
6
9
9
6
Teacher
Prof. M. Cobianchi
Prof. G. Toscani
Prof. O. Carugo
Prof. G. Bendelli
9
9
9
Prof. R. Seppi
Prof. M. Cobianchi
Prof. P. Galinetto
Second semester
Physical Geography and Cartography
Paleontology
Physics
SECOND YEAR
First semester
Course
Geophysics
Mineralogy
GIS and Map Analysis
Second semester
Petrography
Sedimentary Geology
Geomorphology
THIRD YEAR
First semester
Course
Tectonics
Geochemistry
Geodynamics
Free-choice course
Teacher
CFU
Prof. P. Torrese
6
Prof. M.C. Domeneghetti
12
12 Proff. P.L. Vercesi - F. Zucca
12
12
9
Proff. R. Tribuzio - A. Langone
Proff. A. Ronchi - A. Di Giulio
Prof. L. Pellegrini
CFU
9
9
6
6
Teacher
Prof. S. Seno
Prof. R. Vannucci
Prof. C.R. Perotti
9
9
6
5
1
Prof. G. Toscani
Prof. G. Ciancetti
Second semester
Geologic Survey
Engineering Geology
Free-choice course
Final Dissertation
Informatic skills
TOTAL CFU (three years)
Suggested free-choice course
Geology of the Northern Italy
Geomaterials: genesis, deposits and applications
180
6
6
Proff. A. Ronchi – P.L. Vercesi
Prof. M. Setti
Course: INTRODUCTION TO GEOLOGY (6 CFU)
Teacher: Miriam Cobianchi ([email protected])
As a first class of Geology, this teaching aims at providing the basis to understanding the Rock’s cycle, the
genetic processes and the environments of genesis of the main rock types (sedimentary, igneous and
metamorphic). The laboratory exercises point to the practise with identification and description of rock samples
and to the drawing of basic stratigraphic sections. This class also provides the fundamentals of the main
concepts of the Geological Sciences.
Lectures: Geology and Earth Sciences: applications to the social welfare; the dynamic Earth: genesis of the
endogenous, exogenous and climatic systems; the different subjects of the Earth Sciences. The endogenous
system: atoms, chemical elements and minerals; interior of the Earth; features and genesis of the magmatic
rocks; features and genesis of the metamorphic rocks; the earth’s surface as results of the interplay between
endogenous and exogenous systems: the plate tectonics. Earth deformations: faults, folds and other structures.
Plate tectonics and orogeny. Earthquakes and volcanoes. The exogenous system: cratons, mountain ranges and
ocean basins; biosphere, cryosphere, idrosphere, atmosphere; the sedimentary rocks: features and genesis; the
climatic system: components and perturbations; elements of the climatic history of the Earth; the concept of
relative and absolute geological time. Dynamics of the stratigraphic and sedimentary processes; the stratigraphic
successions; strata and geometry of the successions; basic concepts of stratigraphy.
Practicals
Description and recognition of hand samples of the different types of rocks: magmatic (intrusive, effusive and
pyroclastic), metamorphic (from low to high grade) and sedimentary (clastic, carbonaceous, chemical). Fieldexcursions. Drawing of simple stratigraphic log, with interpretation of environments and depositional trends
(transgression, regression).
Course: MATHEMATICS AND INFORMATICS (9 CFU)
Teacher: Giuseppe Toscani ([email protected])
Mathematics. Sets, set operations. Functions. Limits and continuity. Topics of differential and integral calculus.
Concept of derivative and derivation rules. Maxima and minima of a function. Higher-order derivatives. Convex
and concave functions. Indeterminate forms and asymptotes. The definition of integral. Main rules of
integration. Basic principles of counting. Permutations of sets. Combinations of sets. Examples of sample
spaces. Probability defined on events. Conditional probability. Independent events. Bayes theorem. Random
variables. Distribution functions. Probability density. Mean and variance. Random variables with joint
distribution. Models of probability. Applications. Models of growth (natural and logistics). Gravity and fall of
bodies.
Informatics. Format and data structure, terminology, use of a PC. The word processor, spreadsheet, presentation
tools. Databases. Finding information on the network: portals and search engines, databases of scientific
literature. Introduction to personal computers and use of the word processor. Using Excel for numerical
analysis.
Course: CHEMISTRY (9 CFU)
Teacher: Oliviero Carugo ([email protected])
The following main topics are addressed: i) electronic structure of the atoms; ii) the ionic and covalent bonds
and the weak interactions; iii) chemical thermodynamics and kinetics and chemical equilibria; iv) inorganic
chemistry of some, representative elements; v) introduction to coordination chemistry; vi) introduction of
organic chemistry; vii) introduction to nuclear chemistry; ix) introduction to spectroscopy.
Course: ENGLISH (6 CFU)
Teacher: Giuliana Bendelli ([email protected])
The programme coincides with the contents of the coursebook. The coursebook is subdivided into threee parts.
Part one deals with the fundamental rhetorical functions of scientific texts along with the main grammar and
synctactic rules. Part two deals with English as the dominant language of science. Part three is made up of a
series of scientific articles covering the various science-degree courses.
Course: PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND CARTOGRAPHY (9 CFU)
2
Teacher: Roberto Seppi ([email protected])
The first part of the course will serve to understand the Earth as a planet of the solar system, studying those
astronomical phenomena and those physical processes that affect and regulate its external dynamics and that
cause its appearance. Then, the topics concerning the atmosphere and the physical processes that characterize its
dynamics will be carried out in detail, in terms of their interactions with the Earth’s surface. The factors and
elements of the Earth’s climate, as well as its classification will be covered in detail. The climate system will be
also treated in terms of its changes over time, linked to the natural processes of interaction with the Earth
systems, and the forcing determined by human activities.
The physical processes that characterize the terrestrial hydrosphere, in terms of its interaction with the other
natural systems and its fundamental role as a shaping agent of the Earth’s surface will be discussed during the
course. The different parts of the hydrosphere, from the seas and the oceans to the continental waters (streams,
rivers and lakes), will be treated in the context of the distribution of the water resources and of the global
hydrological cycle. A special focus will cover the main elements of the Earth’s cryosphere, their interaction
with the climate system and their fundamental role as a shaping agent of the landscape.
The Cartography part of the course aims at introducing the basic elements for reading, understanding and using
small, medium and large scale topographic maps. Representation of the relief, altitude and location of the
landscape elements (i.e. coordinates), orientation and gradient of the slopes will be part of the basic concepts
given in the lectures, also in view of providing students with a knowledge base for understanding more
advanced mapping methods (e.g. GIS). It will also stress the importance of cartography as a primary mean to
collect and disseminate all kinds of geographic information. Some topics of the Cartography part of the course
will be conducted with the aid of practical exercises.
Course: PALEONTOLOGY (9 CFU)
Teacher: Miriam Cobianchi ([email protected])
The aim of the course is to provide to the student basics of paleontology and, particularly, the comprehension of
the scientific meaning of fossils and their use in the earth sciences.
Definition of paleontology and fossils; metodological concepts; the chronological context: relative and absolute
chronology. Taphonomical processes. Meanings of the fossils record and their use in the earth sciences through
basic principles of paleoecology and stratigraphy. Taxonomic hierarchy; the biological and the paleontological
concepts of species; the origin of species. Origin and major evolutionary events in the life history. Systematic
paleontology: invertebrate phyla, basics on Protista and vertebrates. Classification of the main biogenic rocks.
Laboratory practice on fossil and biogenic rock samples, a field trip and a visit to a natural history museum
complete the course.
The examination is oral and consists of 5 basic questions. The first requires the student to illustrate a topic
chosen in order to verify its ability to hearing. The others enter into the basic knowledge of paleontology and
their application to the earth sciences.
Course: PHYSICS (9 CFU)
Teacher: Pietro Galinetto ([email protected])
The course covers a range of topics in classical mechanics, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, waves and optics
and basic concepts in electricity and magnetism. The primary objective of the course is to teach student the
basic concepts of general physics, using also applicative and everyday’s life examples. In details: Physical
quantities; Vectors and Vector derivatives and operation; Kinematics: position and displacement vector,
velocity and acceleration vectors, rotational motion. Inertial reference systems and Newton’s laws; weight,
elastic force, contact force. Work, Energy and Power. Conservation of Energy. The rigid body; center of mass
and moment of inertia of a rigid body. Elements of statics. Fluid Dynamics: Pressure; density and specific
weight. Pascal’s law, Archimedes’ principle, and Stevino’s law. Definition of ideal fluid; Bernoulli’s equation.
Basic concepts of Themodynamics. Geometrical and physical Optics. Electrostatics, Electric Field in the Matter,
Electric Current, Magnetostati, Magnetic Fields in the matter Introduction to Electromagnetic Waves. Basics of
Modern Physics.
COURSE: GEOPHYSICS (6 CFU)
Teacher: Patrizio Torrese ([email protected])
Main aim of the course is a basic knowledge about the main physical properties of solid earth and the role of
physical phenomena in the whole body of planet.
Main topics. The role of elasticity of rocks in source mechanisms and in propagation of seismic waves,
geometry of seismic waves travels in the whole body oh earth; location of epicenters and determination of
3
focuses depth. The role of terrestrial gravity and pression in defining the model for mantel, outer and inner core
of the earth; the measurement of gravity; the International Gravity Formula and gravity anomalies; gravimeters
and measurements, gravity anomalies and structures in the crust. Magnetic field of the earth expressed as an
effect of a central dipole: the outer (liquid) core as the cause of main field; time variations of the terrestrial
magnetism; magnetic properties of rocks and magnetic anomalies; main types of magnetometers.
Course: MINERALOGY (12 CFU)
Teacher: Maria Chiara Domeneghetti ([email protected])
Lectures. What is a mineral. Crystalline and amorphous states. The symmetry of crystals. Fundamentals of
geometrical crystallography: the first crystallographic laws (constancy of interfacial angles, Hauy's law,
Bravais's law); symmetry operations and their combinations: crystal systems and point groups, (hkl) Miller
indices and stereographic projection. Fundamentals of structural crystallography: unit cell; Bravais lattices;
screw axes and glide planes; space groups. Fundamentals of crystal-chemistry: ionic radius and coordination
polyhedra. Isomorphysm and its interpretation on the basis of the atomic substitutions in the crystal-structure.
Polimorphysm and stability fields of the phases. Physical properties of minerals: density, hardness, fracture and
tenacity, electrical and magnetic properties. Symmetry of the physical properties and Neumann’s principle. Xray diffraction for the identification of mineral crystalline phases. Bragg’s law. X-ray powder diffraction
(Debye camera and X-ray powder dffractometer) for mineral identification by using databases. Notes on X-ray
single-crystal diffraction method. Chemical analysis (fundamentals of X-ray fluorescence and electron
microprobe). Introduction to Optical Mineralogy: the polarizing microscope; birefringence, optical indicatrix.
Orthoscopic observations: interference colours and extinction conditions. Conoscopic observations: interference
figures. Systematic Mineralogy: silicates, native elements, halides, sulfides, oxides, carbonates, sulfates and
phosphates.
Practicals. Mineral identification: by sight, by interpreting powder X-ray diffraction patterns, by observing thin
sections of the most important rock-forming minerals using a polarizing light microscope.
Course: GIS AND MAP ANALYSIS (12 CFU)
Teacher: Pier Luigi Vercesi ([email protected]), Francesco Zucca ([email protected])
Module 1 - GIS - Geographical Information Systems (6 CFU, teacher Francesco Zucca).
Lectures. Basic concepts of perception and cognition of geographic phenomena and elements of geographic
information and its domains (space, time, space-time relations). The Earth’s shape: geoid, spheres, ellipsoids
and datum horizontal and vertical, geographic coordinate systems and projections. GIS and the use of models to
represent data and information. Data models (vector and raster models); databases and their setup: modeling
tools, conceptual models, logical models and physical models. Operations on spatial data: transformations of
representation models and data format conversion, interpolation, vector to raster e raster to vector
conversion,generalization, aggregation and scales. Classification and transformation of attributes. Query
operations and database languages (set theory, SQL spatial queries) and geometrical measurements: distances
and lengths, directions, shape, area, proximity, adjacency and connectivity. Analytical operations base: the
buffer, the overlay, neighborhoods and map algebra.
Practicals. Development of databases through digitization and / or integration of the different types of data.
Construction of databases, mainly with use of Open source solutions.
The exam is composed by a practical exercise (Development of databases through digitization and integration
on GIS platform) and an individual interview on the lectures topics.
Module 2 - Map Analysis (6 CFU, teacher Pier Luigi Vercesi)
Lectures: Attitude of lines and planes. Basic knowledge of the main geological structures from the stratigraphic
and structural point of view. Methods and processes for the geological cross sections reconstructions.
Geological map analysis and interpretation.
Practicals: Exercises on geological maps of increasing difficulty, aimed at identify, reconstruct and represent of
ductile and brittle deformations. Simplified geological maps will be used firstly; then the exercises will deal
with real geological maps. Graphic reconstruction of the geological setting of the mapped areas, analysis of the
geometrical and geological main lineaments (fold axis, hinge lines). Isobath and isopach maps, oral presentation
of the structural setting of an assigned geological map, geological cross sections at different scales (from local
to regional scale).
The exam is composed by a practical exercise (usually a geological cross section) and an individual interview
on the lectures topics.
4
Course: PETROGRAPHY (12 CFU)
Teachers: Riccardo Tribuzio, Antonio Langone
The composition of the upper mantle. Partial melting and fractional crystallisation processes. Magmatism at
divergent and convergent plate boundaries. Crustal contamination of mantle-derived melts. Origin of granitoids.
Within-plate magmatism in oceanic and continental lithosphere. Main structures and nomenclature of
metamorphic rocks. Metamorphic reactions: equilibrium mineral assemblages and phase diagrams. Contact and
regional metamorphism. Metamorphic facies, geothermal gradients and relationships with tectonic settings.
Examples of study of igneous, metamorphic and mantle rocks at the outcrop scale.
The main micro-structures of mantle, igneous and metamorphic rocks, and their petrogenetic implications. How
to write a petrographic report. Study of metamorphic rocks at the hand sample scale. Use of the polarised-light
optical microscope to study thin sections of rocks. Micro-structural studies of mantle, igneous and metamorphic
rocks.
Course: SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY (12 CFU)
Teachers: Ausonio Ronchi ([email protected]), Andrea Di Giulio ([email protected])
Sedimentary basins. Sedimentary structures and their meaning. Weathering and origin of clastic sediments.
Transport and depositional processes of sediments. Depositional environments and facies models: deserts, lakes,
periglacial, rivers, deltas, beaches, tida lflats, shelf, slope, deep marine sediments (tubidites, countourites,
hemipelagic and pelagic muds). Diagenesis. Meso-microscopic analysis and classification of sedimentary rocks.
Facies analysis of sedimentary outcrops and measurement of stratigraphic sequences (2-4 days field trip).
Course: GEOMORPHOLOGY (9 CFU)
Teacher: Luisa Pellegrini ([email protected])
Landscape building and landscape carving. The conditioner elements. The chemical and physical weathering.
Mass wasting and runoff. The landslides. Running water activity. Fluvial sediment: transport and deposition.
The talweg,, the equilibrium profile. Streams and river valleys. Meanders and fluvial diversion. Fluvial terraces.
Glacial morphology. Landscapes from glacial erosion and deposition processes. Periglacial processes and
landscapes. The wind: Deserts and subarid morphology. Pediments and glacis. Coastal processes and
morphology. Waves, littoral streams. Coastal classification. Karst processes. Surface and underground
topography.
Course: TECTONICS (9 CFU)
Teacher: Silvio Seno ([email protected])
Lectures. Significance and topics of tectonics. Analytical tools: geologic maps, cross-sections, geophysical
techniques (seismic reflection, gravimetry). Rock deformation and structural levels. Stress and strain:
terminology, representation. Stress: 2D- and 3D-presentation. Strain: Displacement, extension, 2D-strain, pure
shear, simple shear, strain and geological structures. Progressive deformation: en echelon set of veins (tension
gashes), sintaxial and antitaxial growing fibres, pressure shadows. Measuring the strain. Heterogeneous strain,
3D-strain. Folds: terminology, elements of fold style, anatomy, morphology. Structures associated with folding
and their use. The concepts of vergence and polyphase folding. Folding mechanism. Foliations: classification,
development mechanisms, use, relationships with other structures, folding and cleavage, superimposed
foliations. Lineations: structural and mineralogical lineations, relationship with other structures. Faults:
classification on the basis of the relative displacement. Slip on the fault plane and layers offset: possible
differences. Relationships between stress and faults: the Anderson model. Outline of regional fault systems and
related structures: Horst and Graben, half-Graben, domino-style structures, nappes and thrusts, growing faults;
transfer-faults, flower structures, pull-apart basins. Shear zones: geometry, sheat folds, conjugate shear zones,
kinematic indicators, kinematics.
Practicals. Analysis of deformed rock samples. Field survey of tectonic structures.
Course: GEOCHEMISTRY (9 CFU)
Teacher: Riccardo Vannucci ([email protected])
The course provides an introduction to geochemistry and is aimed at undergraduate students who require an
appropriate understanding of basic chemical principles of geological processes. A quantitative approach of
geological processes using major and trace elements, as well as radiogenic and stable isotopes is stressed
wherever possible. The intent of the course is to familiarise students with the tools of geochemistry. These
5
include the tools of thermodynamics, kinetics, aquatic chemistry, trace element geochemistry, and isotope
geochemistry.
Geochemistry of low temperature processes
Aqueous solutions in geology: The water cycle and the fundamentals of groundwater geochemistry. Main
hydrochemical parameters: temperature, conductivity, pH, Eh, alkalinity. Major cations and anions; the
electrical balance. Graphical representation of groundwater types: Piper, Schoeller and Langelier-Ludwig
diagrams. Ocean and continental waters.
Water-rock interaction phenomena: dissolution/precipitation, oxidation/reduction, ion exchange, carbonate and
silicate dissolution, saturation indexes, carbonate precipitation, evaporites, pyrite oxidation, ion exchange
phenomena.
Fundamentals of isotope geochemistry: Stable isotopes and their fractionation, the delta notation, stable isotopes
of the water molecule, the meteoric water line, isotope exchange. Carbon, Nitrogen and Sulfur isotopes and
their applications in geology. Radioactive isotopes and groundwater dating: Tritium and 14C.
Geochemistry of high temperature processes
Solutions and thermodynamics of multicomponent system: Phase equilibria. Phase equilibria. Ideal and real
solutions. Activity and activity coefficients.
Application of thermodynamics to the Earth: Thermodynamics and phase diagrams. Geothermometry and
geobarometry. Thermodynamics models of magmas.
Kinetics of geological processes: Disequilibrium textures. Reaction rate. Radioactive decay. Diffusion. Closure
temperature. Viscosity.
Elemento of geological interest. Major and trace elements. Light Lithophile Elements (LLE), Large Ion
Lithophile Elements (LILE), 3d Transition elements. High Field Strength Elements (HFSE), Rare Earth
Elements (REE), Platinum Group Elements (PGE). Solar system abundance of the elements. Meteorites.
Trace elements in igneous processes: Goldschmidt’s classification of the elements. Classification of trace
elements depending on their geochemical behaviour. Compatibile and incompatibile elements. Partition
coefficients. Factors governing the value of partion coefficients.The role of crystal-chemical control. Onuma
diagrams. Trace element distribution during melting and crystallisation. Fractional melting and the origin of
MORB melts.
Geochronology and radiogenic isotope geochemistry: Nucleus and its structure. Distribution of stable nuclei.
Radioactive decay and geochronology. Argon methods. The Rb-Sr system. The Sm-Nd system. The U-Th-Pb
system. U-Pb dating of zircons. Common Lead. Radiogenic isotopes in petrogenesis.
Stable isotopes: Delta notation. Isotope fractionation. Physics and chemical controls on stable isotope
fractionation. O and H isotopes in rocks and minerals. B and Li isotopes. Thermometry. Water-rock interaction.
Laboratory exercises. Using trace elements in the petrogenetic interpretation. Using radiogenic isotopes in
geochronology and as markers of geological processes. Using stable isotopes in thermometry and as
fingerprinting of water-rock interaction.
Course: GEODYNAMICS (6 CFU)
Teacher: Cesare Perotti ([email protected])
Internal structure of the Earth: The forces acting on lithosphere. Plate tectonics: principle and mechanisms.
Motions of plates on a plane and a sphere. Stability of triple junctions. Geodetic measures of plate movements.
Model Nuvel 1. Hot spots. Magnetism and paleomagnetism of the Earth. Earthquakes and focal mechanisms
solutions for the different types of fault.
Principal tectonic features of the Earth. Cratonic regions: shields and basins. Divergent margins: oceanic ridges
and plains, continental rifting, passive margins. Convergent margins: trench-arc systems. Collisional margins:
thrust and fold systems, metamorphic core, different kinds of mountain chains. Transform margins: strike-slip
and pull-apart basins. European and Mediterranean geology. Introduction to Italian geology. Geology of the
Alps, the Appenines and the Po Plain.
Course: GEOLOGICAL SURVEY (9 CFU)
Teacher: Giovanni Toscani ([email protected])
The aim of the course is to provide to the student the following skills: (i) orienteering in the field; (ii)
examination of an outcrop from the lithological, stratigraphical and structural viewpoints; (iii) mapping of
stratigraphic and tectonic contacts (Vee’s Rule); (iv) geological mapping, with stratigraphic columns and cross6
sections, pertinent to areas geologically simple and/or of average complexity; (v) drafting of a synthetic report
in which is summarized the geological evolution of the mapped areas.
The program consists of frontal lessons, practical exercises in classrooms and field-trips.
Contents. Orienteering outlines and using the topographic maps on the field. The geologic compass: using for
orienteering and to measure planar and linear elements: different types of geological compasses. Searching and
characterization of rock exposures; lithotype, lithofacies and lithostratigraphic unit; location the outcrops in the
map; recording data in the field notebook; samples collection for petrographic, paleontologic and other
analyses; photographic report. Stratigraphic and structural principles. Methods of geological mapping and its
instruments. Methods to carry out a geological map starting from field data and remarks.
The exam consists of the following tests: a) orienteering test; b) report of the stratigraphical, sedimentological
and structural characteristics observed during the field-trips; c) geological cross section; d) oral examination.
Course: ENGINEERING GEOLOGY (9 CFU)
Teacher: Gianfranco Ciancetti ([email protected])
The following skills will be provided to the student: ability to describe and classify the geological issues in a
engineering geology viewpoint; ability to analyze the territory for the research and the exploitation of natural
resources; knowledge of the basic principles of water dynamics (surface and hypogean waters); ability to deal
with some simple problems regarding territorial protection; understanding and processing of fundamental data
collected on the field.
The class compounds of lectures, practicals and fieldwork.
Contents. Hydrogeological water balance: the rainfall inflow, the evapotranspiration, the run-off, the water
influx. Surface water: hydrogeological parameters and processes, run-off coefficient, fluvial hydraulics outlines,
water level and discharge gauging surveys (current meter, tracers), river flood and minimum flow, hydrographs,
recurrence interval. Groundwater: aquifers, groundwater flow, groundwaters, determination of hydrogeological
parameters, thematic mapping, aquifers withdrawal (springs and wells), coastal aquifers. Physico-mechanical
properties of soils and rocks. The hydrogeological instability: slopes dynamics, landslides (classification, slope
stabilization and bioengineering techniques). River flow processes: fluvial dynamics, hydro-geological hazard
(river beds and river banks stabilization with civil engineering and naturalistic techniques), sea processes on
coasts (coast stabilization). Natural materials. Quarries: different typologies of quarrys, mining techniques.
Rocky materials: quality, use, marketing processes. Underground prospecting, direct and indirect site
investigation surveys, aims and using. Engineering geology issues in relation to civil engineering projects:
landfills, dams, roads, tunnels.
Course: GEOLOGY OF THE NORTHERN ITALY (6 CFU)
Teachers: Ausonio Ronchi ([email protected]), Pier Luigi Vercesi ([email protected])
This class aims to delineate the basic geological, stratigraphical and tectonic aspects of the Southern Alps
(Lombardy and Trentino) and of the Northern Apennine. A summary on the geology of the whole Italian
peninsula is given at the beginning of the course. A series of field-excursion will follow the theoretical lessons
which are focused to make a comprehensive picture of the visited area. The analysis of small scale geological
maps will be also fundamental for paleogeographic reconstructions.
Southern Alps
In this domain, particular attention will be devoted to the Late Paleozoic and Mesozoic volcano-sedimentary
successions in the Orobic, Brembano, Camuno and western Trentino sectors. The main intramontane Permian
basins of the southern Alps will be subject of study: the Orobic Basin, which continental deposits crop out
extensively between Valsassina and Val Brembana and the Collio basin, which extends between Valcamonica
and the Valle del fiume Chiese. The Late Paleozoic, Triassic and Tertiary successions, mostly of them interested
by Alpine deformations, will be examined both in the Lariano, Brembano and Bresciano sectors. The geological
features related to the Jurassic rifting are also showed both in the Lariano, Bresciano and western Trentino
sectors.
Northern Apennine
Some significant geological sections will be investigated in the Vogherese-Piacentino-Parmense sectors, where
the main sedimentary aspects of Tertiary successions crop out, coupled with the structural piling, polyphase
deformation and extent of translation of the single tectono-stratigraphic units.
7
Course: GEOMATERIALS: GENESIS, DEPOSITS AND APPLICATIONS (6 CFU)
Teacher: Massimo Setti ([email protected])
The first part of the course offers the possibility to the students to improve their general knowledge of geology,
mineralogy, petrography and geochemistry. The purpose of the course is to provide the basic competence that
allow the students to understand the most important genetic processes that lead to the formation of the ore
bodies. During the course the most important genetic processes that lead to the formation of ore mines are
explained.
The subject of the second part of the course is focused on the different aspects concerning the basic research and
the different fields of applications of the clay materials. Importance of the clays and clay minerals, their
composition and characteristics. Genetic processes that lead to the formation of the clay minerals. Clay minerals
as paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental indicators. Properties and characteristics of the clay minerals.
Industrial applications of the clay minerals: pottery, alimentary, zootechnics, chemistry, pharmacology,
cosmetics, etc. Clay minerals in the frame of the oil research: their use as indicators of the diagenetic processes
and their influence on the porosity of the sediments. The mechanical behaviour induced by the clay minerals in
the soils. The use of clay minerals in the environmental applications (in particular, in the landfills). The most
important analytical methodologies for the study and the characterization of the clay sediments are also
illustrated, together with some practical exercises.
Course: VOLCANOLOGY (6 CFU)
Teachers: Alessio Sanfilippo; Riccardo Vannucci
Main Objectives
The course is aimed at introducing the students to a variety of volcanology topics, namely the
relationships between volcanism, tectonic and geodynamics, the main volcanic structures and the
magmatic products. We will examine the main chemical and physical factors controlling the volcanic
activity, also introducing the main monitoring techniques. The course will also provide a general
picture of the volcanic activity in Italy, with special emphasis to volcanic hazard. The class activity is
combined with field excursions.
Program
Class activity (A. Sanfilippo)
Volcanism and tectonics. Volcanic structures and geodinamic distribution. Genesis and evolution of
magmas; compositional variability: major and trace elements; magmatic series; geochemical
signatures: trace elements and isotope compositions as markers of mantle sources and evolutionary
processes; glass inclusions.
Chemical and physical properties of magmas; temperature of eruptions; magma structure; role of
volatiles and mineral crystallization on viscosity; magma rheology: density and viscosity. Volatiles;
volatiles species in magmas; H2O and CO2 solubility; fluid inclusions in minerals and fluids in glass
inclusions; determination of volatiles in magmas and other volcanic products; the role of volatiles in
magma physics and magma chamber dynamics.
Magma uprising; degassing; flux regimes in gas-bearing magmas; volcanic explosivity and
fragmentation. Volcanic eruptions: time, scale, classification; tephra versus lava production; timing
and paroxysm of eruptions; energy, intensity and destructive power; phreatic and phreato-magmatic
eruptions. Products of volcanic activity: lavas and pyroclasts.
Volcanic hazard and risk; risk maps; risk related to gas; aerosols and climate effects; volcanic
monitoring: geological, geophysical and geochemical methods; risk menagement. Volcanism as a
resource; geothermics; soils; volcanic stones in industry; volcanoes and tourism; volcanoes and
archaeology.
Regional volcanism: main volcanic regions in Italy, Europe and on Earth.
Field excursions (R. Vannucci)
“Sabatino, Cimino and Vicano” volcanic districts.
Active volcanoes in the Southern Tyrrhenian region: Aeolian Islands (Stromboli, Vulcano), Mt Etna.
8