This curriculum in earthquake geology aimed at offering to students a complete formative path in one of the most dangerous and recurrent natural hazards. The geologic study of earthquakes can significantly contribute to evaluating the seismic hazard and mitigating seismic risk. The geologic study of earthquakes is a prerogative of geologists. Objective of the course is the training of a geologist who knows the fundamental aspects of earthquake geology. The course will be organized in frontal lectures and laboratories dealing in particular: i) basics of earthquake mechanics, ii) surface geologic effects of earthquakes and their using in recognizing past earthquakes, iii) main techniques for analyzing earthquake faults, and v) main applications of earthquake geology to seismic hazard assessment. Several examples will be applied both in the professional and research fields. Finally, the course aims to develop a critical analysis of the scientific literature in the students.

1.  Introduction to the course; geology earthquakes and seismicity.

2.  Geology of the earthquake source region:

• a.  brittle and ductile fractures of rocks; rheology of the lithosphere;
• b.  dynamics and kinematics of the faults;
• c.  rocks friction; experimental and field observations of rock friction; stability of friction: stick-slip and stable friction; earthquake recurrence
• d.  fluids in the crust.

3.  Earthquake surface effects:

• a.  Primary effects (surface faulting) methods an analysis
• b.  Secondary effects (liquefaction, landslides and tsunamis).

4.  Techniques in earthquake geology:

• a. new and geological methods from other courses;
• b. tectonic geodesy, geomorphology, dating methods, paleoseismology;
• c. satellite interferometry and geodesy.

5.  Application of earthquake geology to seismic hazard assessment.

Knowledge and understanding. At the end of the course, the student must have gained the fundamental knowledge in the field Earthquake geology. The student would also master the ability to analyze the geometry, kinematics and dynamics of active and capable faults in a seismotectonic key. . These skills will be evaluated through the oral interview.

Applying knowledge and understanding. The student must correctly use the geological terminology relating to geological structures. In particular, he must be able to know the methodologies for the study of active and capable faults. Furthermore, the student must have the knowledge to contribute, together with other professionals, the assessment of seismic risk. These skills will be tested through the oral exam.

Making judgements. The student must be able to know the structural and morpho-tectonics characteristics of active and capable faults linked to different types of earthquakes mechanics. Furthermore, he must able to frame recent and historical seismicity in a regional context. These skills will be verified through the final exam.

Communication skills. The student must be able to describe and synthesize the geological aspects of the earthquakes, and apply this knowledge in different geological fields and in different tectonic contexts. He must be able to describe the seismo-tectonics of a region using a specific technical language.

Learning skills. The student must build the own path of scientific growth in the earthquake geology in a critical and autonomous way, being able to use the gained knowledge. These abilities, as far as possible, will be stimulated by the lecturer.

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

Practice: field work (2 days) + Info-Lab (exercises in class): mapping of an active fault trace; measuring fault scarps; calculating slip rate and fault-related earthquake parameters (expected Magnitude, surface displacement, recurrence interval, .); logging and interpreting a paleoseismic trench wall.

Teaching

Lectures, laboratory exercises and field trips.

Innovative teaching methods

Attendance

There are no attendance obligations for frontal lessons. However the student is advised to attend at least 2/3 of the laboratory activities, exercises on the ground, seminars and seminar-type training activities.

Course books

Notes from the teacher's lessons.

recommended books:

THE MECHANICS OF EARTHQUAKE AND FAULTING – C.H. Scholz, 2018, Cambridge University Press.

THE GEOLOGY OF EARTHQUAKES – R.S. Yeats, K. Sieh, C.R. Allen, 1997, Oxford Univ. Press.

PALEOSEISMOLOGY – J.P. McCalpin, 2nd Edition, 2009, Academic Press, Elsevier.

Scientific articles and websites on specific topics will be suggested and provided by the teacher during the course.

Assessment

The expected learning outcomes will be assessed with an oral exam based on an interview with several questions. The assessment aimed to evaluate the preparation of the student and in particular in the basic concepts of earthquake geology, the degree of articulation of the response, the mastery of specific language, and the ability to analyze data. The exam involves an evaluation that is expressed as a grade 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

Study of recommended books and teacher's notes.

Course books

Notes from the teacher's lessons.

recommended books:

THE MECHANICS OF EARTHQUAKE AND FAULTING – C.H. Scholz, 2018, Cambridge University Press.

THE GEOLOGY OF EARTHQUAKES – R.S. Yeats, K. Sieh, C.R. Allen, 1997, Oxford Univ. Press.

PALEOSEISMOLOGY – J.P. McCalpin, 2nd Edition, 2009, Academic Press, Elsevier.

Scientific articles and websites on specific topics will be suggested and provided by the teacher during the course.

Assessment

The expected learning outcomes will be assessed with an oral exam based on an interview with several questions, aimed at assessing the knowledge of the basic concepts of earthquake geology, the degree of articulation of the response, the mastery of specific language and the ability to analyze. . The exam is assessed with a mark out of thirty.

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.