OVERVIEW

Marine geophysical observations aim at understanding the nature and behavior of seabed and the underlying geological structure. Geophysical data are important not only from the scientific point of view, but also for a number of practical applications that involve the research of minerals and energy and the industry more or less associated to natural resources.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course illustrates the bases of the geophysical methods used in the marine environment, both related to scientific exploration and practical applications. The course is divided into four chapters: (i) Earth's internal structure – an introduction to the internal structure of the Earth and the lithosphere dynamics, with particular reference to the role of the oceanic lithosphere; (ii) Marine geophysical surveys – this chapter describes the main, methods and applications of geophysical exploration in ocean basins (magnetic and gravity methods, marine geothermics, natural radioactivity surveys on seafloor; (iii) Offshore seismic exploration – it shows the basic principles of reflection/refraction seismic profiling at sea, sound sources, receivers and recorders; (iv) Marine geophysical data – it gives examples of data processing, analysis and interpretation of marine magnetic, gravity, geothermal and seismic surveys, with particular reference to the Mediterranean Sea; geophysical logs in offshore boreholes are also outlined.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures and exercises

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course is divided into four chapters: (i) Earth's interior – an introduction to the internal structure of the Earth and the lithosphere dynamics, with particular reference to the role of the oceanic lithosphere; (ii) Marine geophysical surveys – this chapter describes the main, methods and applications of geophysical exploration in ocean basins (magnetic and gravity methods, marine geothermics, natural radioactivity surveys on seafloor; (iii) Offshore seismic exploration – it shows the basic principles of reflection/refraction seismic profiling at sea, sound sources, receivers and recorders; (iv) Marine geophysical data – it gives examples of data processing, analysis and interpretation of marine magnetic, gravity, geothermal and seismic surveys, with particular reference to the Mediterranean Sea; geophysical logs in offshore boreholes are also outlined.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Course notes
• E.J.W. Jones, 1999. Marine Geophysics, Wiley, 466 pp.
• A. E. Mussett, M. Aftab Khan, S. Button, 2009. Looking into the Earth: An introduction to geological geophysics. Cambridge University Press, 470 pp.
• C.M.R. Fowler, 2005. The Solid Earth: an introduction to global geophysics. Cambridge University Press, 685 pp

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MASSIMO VERDOYA (President)

DANIELE SPALLAROSSA

EGIDIO ARMADILLO (President Substitute)

SIMONE BARANI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Second semester

Class schedule

MARINE GEOPHYSICS

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Intermediate tests (written) and possible final exam (oral)

Exam schedule