Geological Sciences

Geological Map of Italy on the 1:100.000 and 1:50.000 scales: history, operative structures, costs. Geological mapping: preliminary studies, tools, choice of itineraries, criteria for the rendering on map of geological objects (bodies and surfaces). Outcrop and sub-outcrop. Reading a geological landscape. Collection of data in the field: density of observations and methods for tracing geological boundaries in the field. Measurement of strike and dip. Linear and planar elements: measured in the field and on map; folds, axes, axial planes, bedding planes, fault planes. Stratigraphic logs. Stratimetry: classroom map exercises. Tracing and analyzing a geological boundary; the “V Rule”; structure contours of flat and curvi-planar surfaces; true and apparent dips. Six 1-day field exercises, each with production of a 1:10.000 geological map. Participation to a minimum of 4 field exercises is mandatory in order to take part in the field camp of Tirocinio di Rilevamento Geologico. Principle of superposition; principle of intersection. Neptunian Dykes. Facies: definition, models, lateral/vertical transitions. The “Walther Law”. Correlations: lithologies and time lines. Lithostratigraphy and geological maps: definitions, significance, hierarchy of units. Typologies of boundaries, sharp vs gradual. Guide levels. Trigonometric tools for deriving formation thickness from outcrop data. Use of paleontological data. Criteria for assessing stratigraphic polarity. Recent covers: scree and eluvial-colluvial deposits. Alluvial deposits. Primary geometries of rock bodies: major unconformities as the physical boundaries of sedimentary successions. Sedimentary cycles. Synsedimentary tectonics and basin boundaries. Classification and rank of unconformities: their origin, regional extent, and correlation potential; drowning surfaces. Gravity flows. The geometries of slumps; intraformational truncation surfaces. Tempestites. Relative sea-level changes and sedimentation. Evolution of sedimentary basins: from rift basin to foredeep. Syn- and post-rift deposits. Sealing of faults. The “carbonate factories”. Tropical platforms and temperate ramps. Sedimentation rates. Origin and classification of platform margins. Progradation. Slope vs. escarpment. Evolution of the Latium-Abruzzi Platform during the Miocene. Petroleum potential of carbonate systems, basic concepts: source rocks, reservoirs, seals. The “pelagic factory”. Genetic interpretation of stratigraphic boundaries: climate, productivity of oceanic waters, dissolution surfaces. The drowning of carbonate platforms on map: drowning unconformities and drowning successions, Umbria-Marche Apennines to Tuscany. Carbonate platforms and tectonics. Pelagic carbonate platform/basin systems; general geometries, and the areal distribution of condensed deposits. Mesozoic paleogeography of Italy. Economic, paleogeographic and structural importance of select stratigraphic units. Faults: direct observation and inference. Displacement across a fault. Cataclasite vs sedimentary breccia. Analysis and interpretation of faults in the field: measuring the pitch of slickenlines; slickenfibers. Tip line. Frontal, oblique and lateral ramps. Extensional faults, rotational and non-rotational; detachment surfaces; transfer faults (compressive and extensional regimes); thrusts and thrust-related folds; modes of thrust propagation; out-of-sequence thrusts; duplexes; Flexural slip and parasitic folds. Synsedimentary faults and growth structures. Strike-slip faults, fault bends and the development of negative and positive flower structures.

Students should be familiar with the subjects taught in Geology 1 & 2, Paleontology, and Petrography classes. It will be shown how the main concepts of Stratigraphy, Structural geology and Paleontology/Paleontology will become part of the essential arsenal of tools and skills a geologist must be familiar with, coupled with the specific techniques of field mapping, in order to produce a geological map.

Lecture notes. In addition, each student will receive PDF files of 3 papers in English language, and will be asked to discuss their contents during the oral test.

Classroom lessons + 6 one-day fieldtrips

Registered classroom presence. Mandatory attendance to at least 4 out of 6 field trips

Oral exam, following passing of preliminary stratimetry exercise.

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Classroom lessons + 6 one-day fieldtrips