The course provides knowledges on classical aspects of Marine Geology and main survey techniques for marine areas. Geological, geomorphological and sedimentary features of submarine areas are presented. Moreover, considering the great geological and environmental interest of the coastal zone and its economic and social importance, the course provides also the basic knowledge on this area, dealing with the main problems related to its vulnerability (natural or induced) and protection. The aim is to provide an appropriate cultural basis through on the main considered topics building a coherent framework of information that can be useful to those who want to direct their professional activity to these fields.

The course will address the following topics.

1.Introduction. Aim and brief history of Marine Geology. Physiography of the oceans and the Mediterranean.

2. Continental Margins. – Active and passive margins. Structure and evolution. - Littoral system and Coastal Zone: Definition and terminology. Coastal depositional systems. Sandbars. Beach profiles. Sediments and their classification. Tides, waves and induced currents, and their action on beaches and cliffs. Littoral sedimentary balance. Coastline changes. Sea level changes. Survey techniques for the coastal environment. Coastal protection. Coast vulnerability and coastal risk. Future scenarios. – Continental shelf and oceanic platform. Terrigenous and carbonate sedimentation. – Continental slope and continental rise. Slope processes. Canyons and submarine fans. Marginal Trenches. Deep-sea sediments.

3. Ocean basins and Oceanic Ridges. Morphology, structure and classification of the Oceanic Ridges. Abyssal Plains. Abyssal Hills. Seamounts. Aseismic Ridges and Oceanic Plateaus.

4. Data required in marine-geological surveys and equipment needed. Sediment sampling methods. Deep-Sea Drilling. Geophysical exploration of the sea floor. Seismic reflection acquisition systems. Analysis and interpretation of seismic lines. Seismostratigraphy.

5. Didactic field excursions.

Not required.

Knowledge and understanding. The student must demonstrate the knowledge of the topics presented, also in the context of their relations with other disciplines of the Earth Sciences.

Applying knowledge and understanding. The student must be able to correctly use the acquired knowledge, demonstrating the ability to plan data acquisition concerning the seabed, marine subsurface, and coastal areas, and to know basic criteria for their geological interpretation. Moreover he must know the application contexts of different coastal protection works.

Making judgements. The student must demonstrate its ability to reason following the logic of the teaching. In particular it must be able to hypothesize operative decisions that are appropriate for different contexts, selecting the most appropriate activities.

Communication skills. The student must show that he is able to describe clearly and with an appropriate language the acquired knowledge.

Learning skills. The student must demonstrate the ability to develop an individual cultural growth path by integrating the didactic material provided with other specific material also defined on the basis of indications from the teacher.

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

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises) and specific communications from the lecturer can be found, together with other supporting activities, inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Lectures, applications and practical exercises (classroom), field excursions.

Attendance

No obligations.

Course books

AA.VV. (2007) - Atlante delle opere di sistemazione costiera. APAT, Roma.

Kennett J.P. (1982) - Marine Geology. Prentice-Hall Inc.

Ricci Lucchi F. (1992) – I ritmi del mare. La nuova Italia Scientifica.

Seibold E. & Berger W.H. (1993) - The Sea Floor. Springer.

Bird E.C.F. (1996) - Beach management. J. Wiley & Sons

Pranzini E. (2004) - La forma delle coste - geomorfologia costiera, impatto antropico e difesa dei litorali. Zanichelli.

Didactic material provided by the teacher.

Assessment

The assesment of learning consists in an oral exam on at least 3 subjects falling in the course programme.

The test used was chosen because it allows to verify adequately the preparation reached by the student. The purpose is to verify the preparation concerning both theoretical and practical concepts, and technical aspects illustrated during the lectures. The exam involves an evaluation which is expressed as a grade of out of 30.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Non-attending students can contact the teacher for information about the program and clarifications on the exam topics.

Attendance

No obligations.

Course books

AA.VV. (2007) - Atlante delle opere di sistemazione costiera. APAT, Roma.

Kennett J.P. (1982) - Marine Geology. Prentice-Hall Inc.

Ricci Lucchi F. (1992) – I ritmi del mare. La nuova Italia Scientifica.

Seibold E. & Berger W.H. (1993) - The Sea Floor. Springer.

Bird E.C.F. (1996) - Beach management. J. Wiley & Sons

Pranzini E. (2004) - La forma delle coste - geomorfologia costiera, impatto antropico e difesa dei litorali. Zanichelli.

Didactic material provided by the teacher.

Assessment

The assesment of learning consists in an oral exam on at least 3 subjects falling in the course programme.

The test used was chosen because it allows to verify adequately the preparation reached by the student. The purpose is to verify the preparation concerning both theoretical and practical concepts, and technical aspects illustrated during the lectures. The exam involves an evaluation which is expressed as a grade of out of 30.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.