The course provides advanced knowledge on the petrological processes tracing the chemical and tectonic evolution of the lithosphere-astenosphere system along mid-ocean ridges and spreading centers within back-arc basins at supra-subduction zones. The students are trained to a multidisciplinary approach, integrating information deriving from petrology with field studies and geophysical models. A field trip excursion is planned to provide a field-based approach to petrologic processes.
The course provides the knowledge and the interdisciplinary methodological approach on the genesis and evolution of the oceanic lithosphere, comparing seafloor spreading at mid-ocean ridges and in back-arc basins. The following scientific topics will be presented: 1) geochemical heterogeneity of the Earth mantle and processes of partial melting and melts extraction, 2) melts migration and melt-rock interaction processes in the oceanic lithosphere, 3) geochemical composition of MORBs recording their heterogeneous mantle source and processes of fractional crystallization in the magmatic crust, 4) distribution and formation of the sedimentary cover with focus on the pelagic sediments. Study cases will be presented, supported by specific examples with practical exercises on the field.
The course provides the petrographic and chemical tools for the understanding and quantitative modeling of magmatic processes (partial melting, melt-rock interaction, magmatic differentiation) and metamorphic processes (fluid-rock interactions, hydration reactions within the oceanic lithosphere and cooling of the oceanic crust).
Specifically, the student will be trained to:
To deal effectively with the contents of the course, basic knowledge of petrography, geology and geophysics is required. It is necessary to have acquired and assimilated the knowledge provided by the teaching of "Geomaterial investigation methods".
The course consists of lectures and theoretical and practical exercises on the field.
Lectures in the classroom are delivered through multimedia presentations.
The field work is aimed at deepening the analysis of rock associations reflecting the petrogenetic processes presented and discussed during lectures.
Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.
The program deals with the following topics:
Slides used during the lessons and other educational material will be available on AulaWeb at the end of each cycle of lessons / laboratory exercises.
The books below are suggested as supporting texts, The recommended texts are available and can be consulted at the M.F.N. Library.
Treatise on Geochemistry, H.D.Holland and K.K.Turekian (Eds), Elsevier, with particular reference to the following volumes:
J.D.Winter - Principles of igneous and metamorphic petrology. Prentice Hall, ISBN-13: 978-0-321-68132-4.
Anthony R. Philpotts, Jay J. Ague - Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology - Cambridge University Press (2022)
During the lessons, scientific publications concerning specific aspects of the program will also be provided.
Ricevimento: Students will be received by the teachers upon appointment.
ELISABETTA RAMPONE (President)
MARCO SCAMBELLURI
CARLOTTA FERRANDO (President Substitute)
Please consult the following link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/
The exam consists in the discussion of the program, and in the oral presentation, preferably in English, of a summary report, in PowerPoint format, on a topic selected by the student, in the context of the different topics addressed during the theoretical lessons.
To prepare the report, the student has the teaching material provided during the lessons, possibly supplemented by specific scientific publications on the subject.
There are 2 exam sessions available in the winter session (January-February) and 3 exam sessions in the summer session (June, July, September).
Details on how to prepare the exam will be provided during the lessons.
The oral exam will mainly focus on the topics covered during the lectures and will aim to assess whether the student has reached an adequate level of knowledge, and whether he has acquired the ability to recall the theoretical notions applying them to concrete contexts.
The oral report on a selected topic is aimed at evaluating the student's ability to report in a synthetic and exhaustive way on the main issues addressed and discussed during the lectures.
The ability to present the topics clearly and with correct terminology will also be evaluated.
Regular attendance at lectures and related field excursions are strongly recommended.
Students with a certification of physical or learning disability filed with the University can find information on support services at the web page https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/studenti-disturbi-specifici-apprendimento-dsa, provided by the "Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and with Learning Disorders." They can also contact Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the DISTAV contact for disabilities.
