This course deals with the geodynamics of the earth interior related to plate tectonics and the origin and evolution of the main orogens of the Mediterranean area. Most of the considerate subjects deal with isostasy and flexure, topography, and mechanics of the lithosphere and their interaction with superficial processes, and other matters arising. The main course objectives are to develop to the ability for the student to use the quantitative methods with geological, geophysical and geospatial data in order to assess the geological structures. Moreover, the course wants to analyse concepts from the published literature and develop a critical review of the scientific reports and articles.

1. Introduction to the course; seismicity and focal mechanisms; seismic reflection and interpretation of seismic profiles; geophysical methods for structural analysis and tectonics; 2. Earth deep structures; rheology of the lithosphere; continental and oceanic crust; mantle and asthenosphere, convective movements and heat flow; heterogeneities in the mantle and seismic tomography; forces in plate tectonics;3. Kinematics of the plates, Euler's theorem; triple junctions; models of rotation and translation of the plates; current and past reconstructions. Hot spots and plumes; global and space geodesy kinematics; 4. Divergent margins, ocean ridges; seismicity; marine magnetic anomalies; transform areas of oceanic fracture zones and direct measures of spreading; interactions between tectonics and magmatism; centers of overlapping accretion; the Tyrrhenian Sea; Provencal Ligurian Basin; the Jurassic extension in the Alpine Tethys and Apennines; 5. The extentional and passive continental margins; rifts, geometries and extensional mechanisms; the extensional basins; the Apennines, the Rhine Graben, the Basin and Range in North America; 6. transform continental margins; seismicity and geometries in the strike-slip faults; propagation of transform faults; examples from the fault Magellan Fagnano, Motagua Polochic and San Andreas; 7. convergent margins and subduction models. Geometry of subducting plates; subduction and volcanism; major subduction zones and kinematic regime; ocean trenches; and the back-arc basins; obduction and ophiolite ;. The orogenic belts; collision ocean / continent; collision continent / continent; collision arc / continent; Prisms carezione and the foreland basins. The collisional systems of the Alps, the Apennines and the Cordillera of the Andes; 8. Geodynamics and climate change; variations in sea level and ocean circulation; sedimentary basins and mineral resources.

Structural Geology and Geophysics

The course is finalize to acquire a skill to use a toolbox of geophysical and geological techniques that can be used to address regional-scale geological, geodynamics and tectonic questions, and the physical insight to use them correctly. The course aims to provide the student with an appropriate method of analysis to understand, process and synthesize the geodynamics of the planet earth. The goal is to develop the ability to apply this knowledge to the analysis of geological structures on a regional scale. These abilities are encouraged, stimulated and developed through the course attendance, laboratory exercises and specific field activities. The assessment of the acquired skills is obtained through the final oral exams.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Notes from the classroom lectures; laboratory exercises and field excursions.

Teaching

The course is conducted as a mixed lecture/seminar format and field trips in the Apennines and in the Alps.

Attendance

It isn’t mandatory attendance for lectures. However, the student is recommended the attends at least 2/3 of the lectures, seminars, laboratory works, field trips, workshops and training activities.

Course books

Bally A.W., Catalano R., Oldow J. ( 1985) - Elementi di tettonica regionale. Pitagora ED., 276 p. .

Kearey P., Klepeis K.A., Vine F.V. (2008) – Global tectonics. Wiley-Blackwell Ed., 482 p. .

TurcotteD.L., Schubert G. (2013) – Geodynamics . Cambridge University press, 456 p. .

Schettino A. (2014) – Quantitative Plate tectonics. Springer Ed. 284 p.

Assessment

oral exam.

Disabilità e DSA

Le studentesse e gli studenti che hanno registrato la certificazione di disabilità o la certificazione di DSA presso l'Ufficio Inclusione e diritto allo studio, possono chiedere di utilizzare le mappe concettuali (per parole chiave) durante la prova di esame.

A tal fine, è necessario inviare le mappe, due settimane prima dell’appello di esame, alla o al docente del corso, che ne verificherà la coerenza con le indicazioni delle linee guida di ateneo e potrà chiederne la modifica.

Teaching

Reading and study of the text book

Attendance

It isn’t mandatory attendance for lectures. However, the student is recommended to contact the teacher in order to define the study materials ( text books, published literature) .

Course books

Bally A.W., Catalano R., Oldow J. ( 1985) - Elementi di tettonica regionale. Pitagora ED., 276 p. .

Kearey P., Klepeis K.A., Vine F.V. (2008) – Global tectonics. Wiley-Blackwell Ed., 482 p. .

TurcotteD.L., Schubert G. (2013) – Geodynamics . Cambridge University press, 456 p. .

Schettino A. (2014) – Quantitative Plate tectonics. Springer Ed. 284 p. .

Assessment

oral exam.

Disabilità e DSA

Le studentesse e gli studenti che hanno registrato la certificazione di disabilità o la certificazione di DSA presso l'Ufficio Inclusione e diritto allo studio, possono chiedere di utilizzare le mappe concettuali (per parole chiave) durante la prova di esame.

A tal fine, è necessario inviare le mappe, due settimane prima dell’appello di esame, alla o al docente del corso, che ne verificherà la coerenza con le indicazioni delle linee guida di ateneo e potrà chiederne la modifica.