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

The various volcanic phenomena will be treated, introducing the student to volcanology and to the qualitative and moderately quantitative analysis of the different dynamic processes.
The course will be characterized by lectures, exercises and at least one didactic excursion in sites of volcanological and / or geothermal interest. The exercises will consist of exercises related to the quantitative analysis of physical-chemical parameters associated with some particularly interesting volcanic processes. The guided tours will be dedicated to the analysis of volcanic and / or geothermal areas of the Italian territory, appropriately selected.
The Italian territory has the highest concentration of active volcanoes compared to other European countries: the course introduces the student to address the territorial problems related to volcanic eruptions. Geothermal energy also plays an important role in the field of renewable energies

Knowledge and understanding.
At the end of this teaching the student will:
- know the principles that govern the various volcanic activities;
- know the geological, geophysical and geochemical bases applied in the study of active volcanoes;
- know the methods in determining the parameters associated with volcanic risk;
- know the basic concepts and methods of analysis in the exploration of geothermal resources.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of this teaching the student will know how to:
- describe the volcanic activity operating on individual active volcanoes;
- find the geological, petrological, geophysical and geochemical data used in the study of volcanoes;
- interpret the data obtained by the various authors in the study of individual eruptions;
- operate on the ground in the study of lava flows and pyroclastic flows (historical and recent);
- identify the hydrothermal areas of geothermal interest.

Autonomy of judgment
At the end of this course the student will be able to formulate an opinion on:
- individual volcanic activities and their classification;
- methods and procedures used in the study of active volcanoes and geothermal areas.

Communication skills
At the end of the course the student must know:
- understand and use the technical, scientific and regulatory language used in the field of Volcanology and Geothermal Energy;
- communicate the knowledge acquired in the study of volcanoes and geothermal systems.

Learning ability
At the end of this course the student will have the ability to proceed in a relatively autonomous way in the acquisition of geological, petrological and geophysical-geochemical data in volcanic areas.

Lectures 38 h
Exercises 12 h
Field 8 h

Written exam: it is focused on several closed and open questions on general topics regarding magmatic and eruptive processes, hydrothermal and geothermal activity. The written exam can be taken only by the students who have been attending the course within the reference academic year. The student that passes the written exam can accept the grade given and can wave the oral exam. Conversely the student seeking a higher grade can take the oral exam.

Oral exam: on general bases the exam deals with n. 3-4 questions regarding the flowing topics: volcanic activity and its classification, magnitude of eruptions, main historical eruptions, dynamic processes in magma chambers, magma overpressures and energy of eruptions, lava and pyroclastic flows, origin and evolution of calderas, elements of Geothermics.

Volcanic activity and the formation of the earth's crust. Energies linked to volcanic activity and origin of life on earth. Volcanic activity on the planets of the solar system and related satellites. Craters of volcanic origin and impact craters.

Geographical distribution of volcanoes and regional geodynamic conditions linked to volcanism. Classification of the types of volcanic activity and the volcanic explosiveness index (VEI). Classification of volcanic activity products.

Description of the main historical eruptions. The eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD The eruption of Peleè, Martinique (1902). The eruption of Krakatoa, Indonesia, 1883. The eruption of Mount Saint Helen, United States, 1980.

Origin and evolution of the calderas. Explosive energies and eruption triggering processes. Magma vesiculation and fragmentation processes. Overpressures in the magma chamber and hints on projectile ballistics.

The eruptive columns: origin and their space-time evolution. Pyroclastic flows: nature, origin and types. Depositional mechanisms and analysis of pyroclastic sequences.

Lava flows. Structure and morphology of lava flows. Rheological characteristics of magmas and lavas. Progress dynamics of lava flows and "lava tubes". Newtonian, Binghamian and pseudoplastic fluids.

Measurement of viscosity and critical shear stress (or "yield") on active lava flows. Indirect methods on the estimation of the rheological parameters of lavas and relative calculations.

The mechanical behavior of magmas in the ascent phase and stress distribution (Coulomb's law and Griffith's law). Fracturing mechanisms linked to the ascent of magmas.

The role of gases in the triggering of eruptions. Methods of analysis and monitoring of degassing processes (concentrated and diffused)

Definition of Volcanic Risk. Volcanic risk and zoning of the territory in relation to the types of volcanic activity. Estimation of the hazard and probabilistic evaluations.

Hydrothermal activity in volcanic areas. High and low enthalpy geothermal resources. Geological characteristics of geothermal fields.

Methodologies of investigation and development of a geothermal project. Geothermal determinations on some geothermal fluids.

Didactic excursion to a site of volcanological and / or geothermal interest

The material presented during the lessons and exercises are provided by the teachers.

• The books suggested are the followings:

2002. Scandone & L. Giacomelli, 2002. Vulcanologia, Liguori Editore, 642 p.
2003. Williams & A. McBirney, 1979. Volcanology, Freeman Cooper & Co., San Francisco, 397 p.

J.M. Bardinzeff, 1998. Vulcanologie, Dunod Editore (II Edizione), 284 p.

Rinehart J.S., 1980. Geysers and Geothermal Energy, Springer Verlag, Berlin, 223 p.

• Additional books suggested for selected readings:

1994. Ollier, 1994. Vulcani. Zanichelli Editore, 237 p.
1995. Giacomelli & R. Scandone, 2007. I Vulcani d’Italia, Liguori Editore, 475 p.

• Websites on volcanoes are the followings:

https://volcano.si.edu/

http://www.ingv.it

http://www.mirovaweb.it/

http://www.aivulc.it/

http://www.protezionecivile.it

http://www.iavcei.org

http://www.usgs.gov