Corsi di studi in Scienze Geologiche (L-34 e LM-74)

Knowledge and understanding.
Acquisition of knowledge about:

- the principles of facies analysis;
- facies associations characteristics of the main terrigenous and carbonatic depositional systems;
- the principles that control the geometry of sedimentary bodies and their lateral-vertical relations

Applying knowledge and understanding.

Acquisition of the ability to:

- describe a sedimentary succession observed in outcrop or in the subsoil in terms of facies and facies associations;

 - interpret the filling of a sedimentary basin in terms of processes and depositional environments.

Making  judgment.

 Acquisition of the ability to make a judgment:

 - on the sedimentological methods of investigation best suited to the different geological contexts;

 - on the quality of the data acquired and the correctness of the elaborations carried out on them.

Communication skills

Acquisition of the ability to:  

- use the technical language of physical stratigraphy and sedimentology;

 - coordinate with different professional figures working in the research and exploitation of the resources of the subsoil contained in sedimentary bodies.

Learning skills

Acquisition of the ability to study autonomously and critically evaluate the techniques to be used in the realization of a stratigraphic-sedimentological study aimed at characterizing the sedimentary bodies in terms of geometry and facies also in the application of research of resources of the subsoil.

lectures 35h
field trips 40 h

This course will be based on traditional lessons. Detailed information will be provided by the teacher mostly based on the public health recommendations.

The exams are held in person. The University will organize exams remotely for students in the following conditions:

⮚ positive for COVID 19

⮚ resident abroad if unable to return to Italy due to restrictions on international travel.

Principles of facies analysis. Concepts of facies, facies association, facies sequence, facies model. Depositional system. Walther's rule and sedimentary cycles.
The main siliciclastic depositional systems: continental alluvial systems: braided and meandering rivers; shelf systems: backshore, shoreface, foreshore, offshore; turbidite systems: deep sea fans, mud-dominated turbidite currents.
Carbonate platform and ramp types. Tidal flats. Zonation. Diagnostic features of supratidal, intertidal and subtidal zones. Peritidal cycles. Restricted platforms, bays and lagoons: general features. Storm layers. Sand margins: beaches, eolian dunes. Bioconstructed margins.. Zonation and facies of present and fossil coralline reefs. Slopes. Periplatform oozes. Gravity flow deposits. Carbonate aprons. Pelagic deposits: diagnostic features and composition. Present pelagic sediment distribution. Features of pelagic carbonate successions.

Application of selected isotopic and elemental proxies for paleoenvironmental reconstructions. C, O, S, N, H isotopes in carbonate and non carbonate materials (organic matter, hydrocarbons, sulfates, sulfidesi, phosphates). Introduction to elemental geochemistry. Analytical and sample preparation techniques. Applications in sedimentary geology: anoxic events, biotic crises, sedimentation rates, extraterrestrial bolide impacts. (This part will be developed by visiting professor Maciej Bojanowski in 6 hours).

Field trip on clastic depositional systems in the Northern Apennines (2 days).

Field trip on carbonate depositional systems: the Lower Jurassic-Cretaceous  succession of the  Trento Platform (3 days).