LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching provides the basic knowledge on the following main themes: tectonics, magmatism, metamorphism in the various geodynamic environments. The course also provides the necessary practical background for recognition of the main tectonic structures in the field and for rock recognition and classification.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The attendance and participation in the planned training activities (lectures and exercises in the classroom and/or online and fieldwork) will allow the student to acquire the general knowledge of Structural Geology and Petrography necessary to face the studies in the field of geology.

Specifically, the student will be able to:

• define and describe the main rock types

• describe the internal structure of the earth

• understand the Plate tectonics theory

• describe and interpret the main deformation features (folds and faults).

TEACHING METHODS

The course is blended and consists both of lectures in the classroom and online, exercises in the classroom and fieldwork, in agreement with the anti-COVID19 regulations. Attendance to all planned activities is strongly recommended.

Lectures are done through multimedia presentations both in the classroom and using the TEAM platform.

The laboratory exercises are aimed at the practical application of the theoretical knowledge acquired during the lectures. In particular, group exercises will be performed concerning the macroscopic identification of main rock types using the DISTAV didactic collection of rocks.

The laboratory exercises occur in classrooms equipped with specific lighting.

The fieldwork takes place within the regional territory and is aimed at the recognition of rocks and of the main tectonic structures (folds, faults and associated minor structures).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Lectures (in the classroom and/or online) will be on:

• Internal structure of the earth (temperature, composition and rheology profiles).
• Plate tectonics: lithospheric plates, plate margins, plate movements: Euler pole, hot spots, plate velocity, paleomagnetism.
• Elements of geodynamics: ocean ridges, subduction zones, orogenic sutures, orogens; hints on the parts composing an orogenic system; hints on orogen types.
• Deformations: concepts of force and pressure: stress; concept of deformation. Deformation types: translation, rotation, strain, dilation; continuous and discontinuous deformation, homogeneous and inhomogeneous deformation; pure shear and simple shear; physical constitution of rocks (homogeneous, inhomogeneous, continuous material); elastic and plastic behaviour: Hooke Law, stress-strain diagrams, influence of temperature, pression, fluids and time; hints on P-T diagrams, rheological behaviour and structural levels.
• Ductile deformations: geometrical elements of folds; folds according to their shape; minor structures associated to folds.
• Brittle deformations: faults, fractures, joints (definitions); fault types: normal, reverse, strike-slip; mechanical aspects: orientation of principal stresses; minor structures associated to faults: kinematic indicators; association of faults (graben, thrust, Riedel system, pull apart).
• Geodynamic environments and deformation styles: orogenic environments; diverging environments; strike-slip tectonics.

There will also be:

• exercises in the classroom to identify the main groups of igneous intrusive and effusive rocks and of metamorphic rocks.
• fieldwork activities to check and strengthen the knowledge acquired during lectures and exercises in the classroom.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All educational materials used during lessons will be available on AulaWeb at the beginning of the educational activity.

The following texts are recommended (available at the M.F.N. School of Science Library):

• S.Marshak (2004) - La terra, ritratto di un pianeta. Zanichelli
• F.Press, R.Siever, J. Grotzinger & T.H. Jordan (2006) - Capire la Terra. Zanichelli
• J.P. Grotzinger, T.H. Jordan (2016) - Capire la Terra. Zanichelli