LEARNING OUTCOMES

Provide basic knowledge of the Earth system through the study of endogenous and exogenous processes that govern the evolution of different geodynamic environments and determine the composition, structure and texture of magmatic, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Attendance and participation in the planned educational activities (lectures and activities in the laboratory and on field) will allow the student to acquire basic knowledge on the geological processes that govern the endogenous and exogenous earth dynamics, and on the composition, structure, genesis and distribution of sedimentary rocks. Part of the teaching is focused on the analysis of sedimentary environments, in both actual and fossil contexts.

Specifically, the student will be able:

• to know, describe and classify the main types of sedimentary rocks;

• to be able to distinguish and identify the structures of sedimentary rocks, using both theoretical skills and practical and methodological skills acquired during laboratory and soil activities;

• to link the composition and structure of sedimentary rocks and sediments to specific environments and depositional systems.

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of lectures, theoretical and practical exercises on the field. Attendance at lectures and laboratory and field exercises is strongly recommended.

Lectures in the classroom are delivered through multimedia presentations.

The exercises are aimed at the macroscopic recognition of sedimentary rocks using samples from the DISTAV educational rock collection;

There will also be a field exercise for observing and understanding rocks and environmental sedimentary processes.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course program includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics:

• Geological implications of the evolution of plate boundary and continental margins;

• Evolution of chains and sedimentary basins, actual and paleo-environmental regional models;

• Geochronological, paleoenvironmental and paleogeographic reconstruction of geological environments; representations of geological and thematic cartography.

• Deformation and fracturing of rocks: classification, study methods and representation, geological significance;

• Genesis and classification of sedimentary rocks; the sedimentary cycle: provenance; erosion and transport processes; evolution of sediments; sedimentation: settling, re-sedimentation and rheological deposits; diagenesis;

• Sedimentary structures: physical, chemical, biological, diagenetic, environmental implications.

• Stratigraphy: general concepts, analysis of stratigraphic sequences, spatial and temporal reconstructions, detection of sedimentary bodies and concepts of facies analysis, study methods.

• Sedimentary environments: continental, transitional and marine, sedimentary dynamics and related deposits.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All slides used during the lessons and other teaching material will be available on AulaWeb at the end of each cycle of lessons / laboratory exercises.

The books below are suggested as a supporting text, but students can still use other university level texts. The recommended texts are available and can be consulted at M.F.N. library.

• Stephen Marshak – La Terra ritratto di un pianeta, Zanichelli Ed. Bologna
• J.P. Grotzinger & T.H. Jordan – Capire la Terra, Zanichelli, Ed. Bologna
• Casati - Scienze della Terra, Elementi di Geologia Generale, CLUED Milano
• D'Argenio, Innocenti, Sassi - Introduzione allo studio delle rocce, Utet.
• Ricci Lucchi – Sedimentologia (2 vol), CLUEB, Bologna
• Ricci Lucchi – Sedimentologia (3 vol), CLUEB, Bologna