ID:
502351
Duration (hours):
56
CFU:
6
SSD:
GEOLOGIA STRATIGRAFICA E SEDIMENTOLOGICA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Secondo Semestre (02/03/2026 - 12/06/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The course provides the adequate knowledge for understanding surface processes related to Earth dynamics. To this end, topics such as Sedimentary Basins, the classification of sediments and sedimentary rocks, the characteristics of sedimentary environments and the structures of the related sediments and rocks, the main concepts and principles of Stratigraphy, and the basic elements of Structural Geology and Tectonics (fractures, faults, folds etc.) will be examined.
Course Prerequisites
The student must recall the general concepts relating to the teachings of Chemistry (periodic table of elements), Physics (dynamics of fluids, hydraulic behaviors), Geomorphology (forms of erosion, karst, slope dynamics, forms of deposition) and Mineralogy and Petrography (Common minerals of rocks, structure of the Earth interior and deep petrogenetic processes. The knowledge received from the teachings relating to sciences in general and Astronomical Geography of the last year of high schools - when present - will be a useful complement for an effective use of the class.
Teaching Methods
Classroom lessons consist of thematic slides. The lessons relating to the topic Lithology and sedimentary structures are completed by the examination of samples of rocks and sedimentary structures.
Assessment Methods
Oral examination. The exam generally consists of 4 questions, one regarding each block of lectures. These questions could be integrated through the analysis of one rock sample and a question focused on the final fieldtrip.
Texts
Basic Textbook
J. Grotzinger & T.H. Jordan, 3° Ed. 2016, Capire la Terra, Ed. Zanichelli, 736 pp.
(chapters 1-2-5-7-8-14-15-16-18-19-20-22)
Additional readings
Blocco 2-3: Nichols, 1999, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Blackwell, 355 pp
Blocco 4: H. Fossen, 2020, Geologia strutturale, Zanichelli, 512 pp.
J. Grotzinger & T.H. Jordan, 3° Ed. 2016, Capire la Terra, Ed. Zanichelli, 736 pp.
(chapters 1-2-5-7-8-14-15-16-18-19-20-22)
Additional readings
Blocco 2-3: Nichols, 1999, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Blackwell, 355 pp
Blocco 4: H. Fossen, 2020, Geologia strutturale, Zanichelli, 512 pp.
Contents
The module is organized in 4 blocks of lectures (about 1 CFU each) completed by some laboratory exercises and a final field trip of several days.
Lectures are organized as follows.
Block 1 - Basics of Geodynamics: recall about the structure of the Earth, basics of Plate Tectonics and the Wilson Cycle, origin distribution and classification of sedimentary basins.
Block 2 - Basics of Sedimentology: the cycle of rocks, classification of sediments and sedimentary rocks, diagenesis, sediment transport and depositional processes, sedimentary structures, overview on the main depositional environments
Block 3 - Basics of Stratigraphy: basin principles of stratigraphy, stratigraphic surfaces, age of sedimentary rocks and tools to determine it, Litho-Chrono-Magneto-stratigraphy and their units, the Chronostratigraphic chart
Block 4 - Basics of Structural Geology: Modes of rock deformations, brittle structures and faults classification, ductile structures and folds classification, tectonics and geodynamic environments.
The module is completed by some lab. exercitation focused on the analysis and recognition of sedimentary rock samples e a few days field trip across an Italian sedimentary basin
provides a general framework of geological phenomena on both a large and small scale; it will give particular emphasis to geology of the lithosphere (most important oceanic and continental morpho-structures), the classification of sedimentary basins and those elements of sedimentary dynamics useful to frame the factors useful to determine current and past geological scenarios. Concepts of stratigraphy and tectonics will also be explained, with examples taken from the visited areas during field trips. The course is completed by a 2-day Geological-Paleontological fieldtrip, concerning Italian stratigraphic sequences.
Lectures are organized as follows.
Block 1 - Basics of Geodynamics: recall about the structure of the Earth, basics of Plate Tectonics and the Wilson Cycle, origin distribution and classification of sedimentary basins.
Block 2 - Basics of Sedimentology: the cycle of rocks, classification of sediments and sedimentary rocks, diagenesis, sediment transport and depositional processes, sedimentary structures, overview on the main depositional environments
Block 3 - Basics of Stratigraphy: basin principles of stratigraphy, stratigraphic surfaces, age of sedimentary rocks and tools to determine it, Litho-Chrono-Magneto-stratigraphy and their units, the Chronostratigraphic chart
Block 4 - Basics of Structural Geology: Modes of rock deformations, brittle structures and faults classification, ductile structures and folds classification, tectonics and geodynamic environments.
The module is completed by some lab. exercitation focused on the analysis and recognition of sedimentary rock samples e a few days field trip across an Italian sedimentary basin
provides a general framework of geological phenomena on both a large and small scale; it will give particular emphasis to geology of the lithosphere (most important oceanic and continental morpho-structures), the classification of sedimentary basins and those elements of sedimentary dynamics useful to frame the factors useful to determine current and past geological scenarios. Concepts of stratigraphy and tectonics will also be explained, with examples taken from the visited areas during field trips. The course is completed by a 2-day Geological-Paleontological fieldtrip, concerning Italian stratigraphic sequences.
Course Language
Italian
More information
The final fieldtrip is strongly recommended to learn and verify, on the field, the concepts explained during lessons. It will be developed in a mountain region, thus a an appropriate clothing and some capability of walking in a mountain environment will be required. Students with problems for this are warmly invited to inform the teacher before.
Degrees
Degrees
NATURAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES
Bachelor’s Degree
3 years
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