Earth Physics
Course objectives
Educational goals: the purpose of the course is to provide the basic knowledge of the physical fields associated to the solid earth, introducing the relationship between geophysical observations and geological structures. Learning ouctomes: The student might know the physical properties of the Earth and the related concepts of anomaly (for gravity, magnetic fields and for the velocity structure traveled by seismic waves). Furthermore, the student might be able to suggest geological interpretations of the geophysical anomalies.
Channel 1
CRISTIANO COLLETTINI
Lecturers' profile
Program - Frequency - Exams
Course program
1) Introduction: Geology vs. Physics vs. Geophysics;
2) Introduction to Plate Tectonics and the interior of the Earth;
3) Seismic waves;
4) Earthquakes;
5) Gravity and Isostasy;
6) Magnetisms;
7) Heat flow;
8) Exercises with Python.
Prerequisites
Basic physics. Basic trigonometry, linear and exponential functions. Derivative and integrals.
Books
Robert J. Lillie. Whole_Earth_Geophysics: An Introductory Textbook for Geologists and Geophysicists
William Lowrie, Andreas Fichtner Fundamentals of Geophysics, Third Edition.
Appunti delle lezioni scaricabili da Moodle.
Teaching mode
Final examination: written task consisting of exercises and demonstration about the topics covered during the course (duration time 90 minutes). During the exam is not permitted to consult text-books, notes and photocopies. The written exam is integrated with an oral part where the written part will be analysed and where some Python exercises developed during the course will be discussed. To obtain the top score, the student has to demonstrate an excellent knowledge of all the arguments presented in the course together with the ability to link these topics in a coherent and logic way.
Frequency
In class attending lectures
Exam mode
Final examination: written task consisting of exercises and demonstration about the topics covered during the course (duration time 90 minutes). During the exam is not permitted to consult text-books, notes and photocopies. The written exam is integrated with an oral part where the written part will be analysed and where some Python exercises developed during the course will be discussed. To obtain the top score, the student has to demonstrate an excellent knowledge of all the arguments presented in the course together with the ability to link these topics in a coherent and logic way.
Bibliography
Look at the suggested text books and slides
Lesson mode
Final examination: written task consisting of exercises and demonstration about the topics covered during the course (duration time 90 minutes). During the exam is not permitted to consult text-books, notes and photocopies. The written exam is integrated with an oral part where the written part will be analysed and where some Python exercises developed during the course will be discussed. To obtain the top score, the student has to demonstrate an excellent knowledge of all the arguments presented in the course together with the ability to link these topics in a coherent and logic way.
MARCO MARIA SCUDERI
Lecturers' profile
- Lesson code1035352
- Academic year2025/2026
- Coursecorso|33591
- CurriculumSingle curriculum
- Year2nd year
- Semester1st semester
- SSDGEO/10
- CFU9
- Subject areaAmbito geofisico