507956 - BASIN ANALYSIS

courses

ID:

507956

Duration (hours):

60

CFU:

SSD:

GEOLOGIA STRATIGRAFICA E SEDIMENTOLOGICA

Year:

2025

Date/time interval

Annualità Singola (01/10/2025 - 12/06/2026)

Course Objectives

The module aims to provide fundamental knowledge on modern analytical and stratigraphic approaches used in the study of factors controlling the origin of sedimentary basins, the most populated areas in the world and where strategic resources (water and hydrocarbons) are accumulated.
Special emphasis is given on the study of basin syn- and post-depositional evolution, thus defining the geometries, lithostratigraphic and thermal variations of sedimentary systems that actually reflect the interaction of tectonic and geodynamic processes involving the lithosphere. The course aims to integrate multidisciplinary knowledge such as stratigraphy, sedimentology, seismic, structural geology, numerical modeling, thermochronology, to the analysis of the major sedimentary systems existing on Earth, and project these concepts towards future useful applications both in the profession of Geologist, and industry oriented to the energy transition towards a sustainable model in accordance with goal #7 of the UN Agenda 2030: "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all".

Course Prerequisites

The course does not have propaedeutic relationships with other courses in the degree program.
However, basic knowledge is required such as the principles of stratigraphy (original horizontality, stratigraphic superposition, original lateral continuity, inclusion, intersection and chronological equivalence) and sedimentology (Walther's law). Concepts of structural geology (definition and recognition of folds and faults) and geodynamics (Wilson’s cycle) are also required.

Teaching Methods

The module consists of 32 hours of face-to-face lectures, including analysis with discussion of geologic and thematic maps. The module also includes an additional 2 CFU of field trip into an Italian sedimentary basin, scheduled at the end of the course.

Assessment Methods

The final exam is an individual interview on the topics approached during the course. This could also include a geologic map analysis and/or seismic section in order to reconstruct geologic history. Students will be expected to demonstrate the ability to reason about causes and effects of geological processes. Also, students will be asked to recognize sedimentary systems related to current geodynamic environments through large-scale topographic analysis (e.g., Google Earth). Communication skills and use of appropriate scientific language will also be considered in the overall evaluation.

Texts

Allen, and Allen. Basin analysis (third edition): principles and application to petroleum play assessment. ISBN 978-0-470-67376-8 (pbk.) – ISBN 978-0-470-67377-5 (hardback) – ISBN 978-1-118-45030-7 (epub).
Scientific articles and materials provided by the teacher.

The module is structured in two main blocks:
Part 1: Origin and classification of sedimentary basins.
The effect of subsidence and the main characteristics of sedimentary basins associated to (1) divergent, (2) convergent and (3) transcurrent contexts will be investigated. Examples of current and geologic basins in each particular context will be provided.

Part 2: How to reconstruct the thermal history of a sedimentary basin.
We will go through the most important analytical methods used to reconstruct the burial history, diagenetic and thermal evolution of sedimentary basins, such as: thermal indicators, vitrinite reflectance analysis, geohistory analysis, apatite fission-track analysis and fluid inclusion microthermometry.
The module is completed by an excursion of a few days in an Italian sedimentary basin.

Course Language

English

More information

Students who do not attend the classes are invited to contact the teacher in order to integrate their preparation with additional didactic material that will be provided to them on the basis of their needs, which will be examined by the teacher with a special preliminary interview.