Physics of Earth's Interior
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course aims to deepen the knowledge of the physical mechanisms that regulate the dynamics of the deformation processes involving the crust-mantle system at small and large-scales, both spatial and temporal.
Expected learning outcomes
Capability to understand the physical laws that govern the processes that take place at different scales on our Planet.
Capability to solve a complex problem using appropriate mathematical tools.
Capability to solve a complex problem using appropriate mathematical tools.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
THEORY: Rheology of the Earth, at different time scales. Constitutive laws. Elastic, Creep, Brittle, Plastic and viscoelastic deformation. Mass, energy and momentum conservation equations. Deformation energy function.
PRACTICE: exercises on a) elastic, viscoelastic and elasto-plastic flexion of the lithosphere; b) unidirectional viscous flow in a thin channel c) thermal convection; d) strenght profile in the lithosphere.
PRACTICE: exercises on a) elastic, viscoelastic and elasto-plastic flexion of the lithosphere; b) unidirectional viscous flow in a thin channel c) thermal convection; d) strenght profile in the lithosphere.
Prerequisites for admission
Good knowledge of the basic concepts of continuum mechanics.
Teaching methods
The lessons will take place in the classroom using the classic chalk blackboard and, only occasionally, by projecting powerpoints.
Teaching Resources
After each lesson, a pdf file, which contains an exhaustive presentation of the topics covered in class and which can be used as a text for the study, will be made available on the didactic web page accessible through the ARIEL portal.
Texts for further information:
G. Ranalli, Rheology of the Earth, Deformations and flow processes in geophysics and geodynamics.
D. Turcotte and G. Schubert, Geodynamics, Application of continuum physics to geological problems.
Several copies of both texts are available in the library of the Department of Earth Sciences "A. Desio".
Texts for further information:
G. Ranalli, Rheology of the Earth, Deformations and flow processes in geophysics and geodynamics.
D. Turcotte and G. Schubert, Geodynamics, Application of continuum physics to geological problems.
Several copies of both texts are available in the library of the Department of Earth Sciences "A. Desio".
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will take place in written form and will be aimed at verifying the student's knowledge of the physical mechanisms that regulate the dynamics of the deformation processes involving the crust-mantle system on different scales, both spatial and temporal.
The test lasts 2 hours and consists of three questions of different evaluation weight. The first question (maximum 15 points), open-ended, involves the discussion of a theoretical topic. The second question (maximum 10 points), with an open answer, involves the reproduction of one of the exercises solved during the practical lessons and the discussion of its implications. The third question (maximum 5 points), multiple choice, foresees, for 5 different questions, the selection of a single answer in a list of three and aims at verifying the knowledge of the orders of magnitude of the physical quantities used.
The test lasts 2 hours and consists of three questions of different evaluation weight. The first question (maximum 15 points), open-ended, involves the discussion of a theoretical topic. The second question (maximum 10 points), with an open answer, involves the reproduction of one of the exercises solved during the practical lessons and the discussion of its implications. The third question (maximum 5 points), multiple choice, foresees, for 5 different questions, the selection of a single answer in a list of three and aims at verifying the knowledge of the orders of magnitude of the physical quantities used.
GEO/10 - SOLID EARTH GEOPHYSICS - University credits: 6
Practicals: 24 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Professor:
Marotta Anna Maria
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
every day, by appointment via e-mail
Office - Botticelli 23 - R054