ID:
502187
Duration (hours):
64
CFU:
6
SSD:
GEOLOGIA STRUTTURALE
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Secondo Semestre (02/03/2026 - 12/06/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
Knowledge of Earth's interior and its rheological behavior.
Understanding and analyis of the global tectonics processes. Understanding, analyis and modelling of the physical processes involved in the plate tectonics.
Knowledge of the principal geological features
of the different regions of the Earth, with progressively growing insights on the Mediterranean area, the
the Italian peninsula and Northern Italy (the Alps, the Northern Apennines, and the Padan Plain).
At the end of the course, the student must have an overall view of the principal geological processes that affect our planet and cause constant changes. This knowledge will help to understand the role of individuals and our society in the acquisition of the goal # 15 Life on Earth of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Understanding and analyis of the global tectonics processes. Understanding, analyis and modelling of the physical processes involved in the plate tectonics.
Knowledge of the principal geological features
of the different regions of the Earth, with progressively growing insights on the Mediterranean area, the
the Italian peninsula and Northern Italy (the Alps, the Northern Apennines, and the Padan Plain).
At the end of the course, the student must have an overall view of the principal geological processes that affect our planet and cause constant changes. This knowledge will help to understand the role of individuals and our society in the acquisition of the goal # 15 Life on Earth of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Course Prerequisites
The course is part of the basic geological formation of students in Geological Sciences. The course does not require prerequisites with other courses of the Degree Course. However, knowledge of the basic concepts of lithology, sedimentology, petrography, physics and mineralogy is required.
Teaching Methods
The course consists of lectures and two educational field trips concerning the Alps and Northern Apennines. The lectures will explain the methodologies that are used in geodynamic and regional geology studies and will provide numerous examples from geodynamic regions around the world with particular regard to Italy. The workshop involves interpreting tectonic and geological maps, as well as creating geological sections.
Assessment Methods
The assessment will be conducted through optional, ongoing written tests. The tests involve open-ended questions and graphic exercises to assess the level of knowledge gained throughout the course. Participants in the excursion are also required to submit a report on the topics covered, complete with detailed cartographic attachments. The final exam is a mandatory individual oral test, designed to
assess the skills acquired in relation to the course content. The exam covers the content of the lectures and educational excursions conducted throughout the year. The assessment will consider the student's ability to communicate effectively and use appropriate scientific language. Through the interview and discussion, the student's knowledge of the primary geodynamic mechanisms that shape the geological characteristics of various global regions will be assessed. The final assessment will be based on the student's depth of understanding of the presented topics and their ability to integrate the knowledge gained throughout the course. The ongoing tests and the post-excursion report, for those who have taken them, contribute to the final grade.
assess the skills acquired in relation to the course content. The exam covers the content of the lectures and educational excursions conducted throughout the year. The assessment will consider the student's ability to communicate effectively and use appropriate scientific language. Through the interview and discussion, the student's knowledge of the primary geodynamic mechanisms that shape the geological characteristics of various global regions will be assessed. The final assessment will be based on the student's depth of understanding of the presented topics and their ability to integrate the knowledge gained throughout the course. The ongoing tests and the post-excursion report, for those who have taken them, contribute to the final grade.
Texts
Notes and papers provided by the teacher.
“Geodynamics” D. L. Turcotte & G. Schubert, second edition, Cambridge U Press.
“Tectonics” E. M. Moores & R. J. Twiss, Freeman and Company.
“An introduction to Italian geology” C. Doglioni & G. Flores, Lamisco.
“Geodynamics” D. L. Turcotte & G. Schubert, second edition, Cambridge U Press.
“Tectonics” E. M. Moores & R. J. Twiss, Freeman and Company.
“An introduction to Italian geology” C. Doglioni & G. Flores, Lamisco.
Contents
History of the Earth sciences. Internal structure of the Earth: The forces acting on lithosphere. Plate tectonics: principle and mechanisms.
Motions of plates on a plane and a sphere. Geodetic measures of plate movements.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. Examples of key tectonic area throughout the Earth (e.g. Himalaya, Ande, Vulcanic arcs of the Pacific ocean, Alpine faults, Ocenaic ridges, Arabian plates tectonics, European and Mediterranean geology. Introduction to Italian geology. Geology of the
Alps, the Appenines and the Po Plain.
Motions of plates on a plane and a sphere. Geodetic measures of plate movements.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. Examples of key tectonic area throughout the Earth (e.g. Himalaya, Ande, Vulcanic arcs of the Pacific ocean, Alpine faults, Ocenaic ridges, Arabian plates tectonics, European and Mediterranean geology. Introduction to Italian geology. Geology of the
Alps, the Appenines and the Po Plain.
Course Language
Italian
More information
Non-attending students are invited to contact the teacher to
integrate their preparation with further educational material. The latter will be provided according to their needs, which will be evaluated by the teacher with a special preliminary interview.
integrate their preparation with further educational material. The latter will be provided according to their needs, which will be evaluated by the teacher with a special preliminary interview.
Degrees
Degrees (3)
GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Bachelor’s Degree
3 years
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION, SCIENCE EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION
Master’s Degree
2 years
2 years
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