OVERVIEW

The course is aimed at presenting the fundamental principles of earthquake phenomenology. In particular, the course will examine the relation between seismicity and faults, as they are the results of the same dynamic process. Basics of rock mechanics, rock fracturing, seismic deformation, and earthquake interaction will be discussed. The scope is to provide the student with a basic knowledge of the physics behind the seismic process. 

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The scope of the course is to provide the student with a basic knowledge of the physics behind the seismic process, through the examination of the relation between seismicity and faults. The topics discussed during the course will allow understanding why, where, and when earthquakes occur.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The participation in the planned activities will allow the student to understand the mechanisms governing earthquake generation. Specifically, students will acquire knowledge in fracture mechanics and earthquake physics. They will learn to interpret earthquakes as the result of complex physical processes of fault interaction in space and time.

PREREQUISITES

Students are expected to know the following topics of structural geology: 1) deformation mechanisms; 2) classification of faults and shear zones; 3) classification of fault rocks.

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of lectures delivered through multimedia presentations and computer exercises.

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.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1) Introduction: where and why earthquakes occur; earthquakes in the world and relationship with terrestrial geodynamics; the contribution of geodesy to the understanding of seismic activity.

2) Fracture mechanics: fracturing criteria (Griffith theory, Mohr-Coulomb criterion, and Byerlee law); fracture dynamics (modes and patterns of fracture propagation); rock friction (asperity and barrier models; dependence of friction force on composition, pressure, temperature, presence of fluids, and slip velocity) and friction laws; dynamics of stick-slip (stick-slip vs stable sliding; stress drop; equation of motion); fault interaction and fault populations (scaling laws and self-similarity).

3) Earthquake mechanics: magnitude; seismic moment and energy; focal mechanisms; scaling laws (Gutenberg & Richter's law for single sources and groups of faults; characteristic earthquake model).

4) Phenomenology of earthquakes: seismic sequences and swarms (definition of aftershock, foreshock, and discussion of case studies); role of dilatancy and diffusion of fluids in the seismic process; earthquake interaction (static vs dynamic triggering; Coulomb failure criterion with practice exercise); seismic cycle and earthquake recurrence models.

During the lessons, basics of earthquake prediction will be provided: meaning (prediction vs. forecasting); short, medium, and long term forecasting, precursor phenomena.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All teaching material used during the lectures will be available on AulaWeb.

Scholz, C. H. The Mechanics of Earthquakes and Faulting, Third Edition. Cambridge University Press (2019).

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Lesson will start in October. Students are invited to contact the teaching professor and refer to the following link: https://corsi.unige.it/corsi/8763/studenti-orario

Class schedule

EARTHQUAKES DYNAMICS

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral test (3 questions on topics covered in class). The exam is passed if the student has obtained a grade greater than or equal to 18.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam will focus on the topics covered during the lectures and will aim to assess the achievement of the appropriate level of knowledge. The ability to present the topics clearly and with correct terminology will also be evaluated. The degree of detail required for each topic will be provided during the lessons.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Regular attendance at lectures and laboratory exercises is 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.