Geological environments and structures

The class consists of three different modules dedicated to specific aspects of Earth Sciences.

Module 1 - Earth dynamics and tectonic structures (Prof. M. I. Spalla)
In this module, fundamentals useful to recognize the principal types of deformed rocks and to acquire main knowledge on types of tectonic structures characteristic of different lithospheric levels will be provided, together with the key-concepts useful to individuate the geodynamic environment of their development.
The module is organized into two parts:
A) Elements of modern global tectonics
- Earth internal structure and dynamics.
- Fundamental principles of global tectonics.
- Types of plate active margins (ocean ridges, rifts, transform and strike-slip margins, subduction zones, continental collision, obduction).
- Different types of active margins in the Mediterranean region.
B) Deformation of rocks at different structural levels
- Stress and strain, incremental deformation.
- Main deformation mechanisms at supracrustal, intermediate and deep levels and associated tectonic structures.
- Fundamentals of main brittle and ductile structures and their kinematics.
- Scale of structure analysis: from the granular aggregate (micro-scale) to megastructures (regional-scale).


Module 2 - Stratigraphy and sedimentary geology (Prof. F. Felletti)
In this module, students will be introduced to the major concepts of stratigraphy and sedimentary geology, including the description an interpretation of physical processes controlling the formation of sedimentary rocks (weathering, erosion, transport, deposition, and lithification) and the classification of sedimentary rocks. Attention will be paid to sedimentation in different depositional environments (marine and continental). Definition and operative use of facies and facies classifications in Sedimentary Geology.

A) Facies and sedimentary environments: general concepts and methodologies of analysis
- Erosion and sedimentation: scale and hierarchy of the elements of sedimentary dynamics.
- Control factors on sedimentary dynamics.
- Introduction to the classification of sedimentary rocks
- Introduction to the methods of facies analysis and the study of sedimentary environments.

B) The products of the transport of sediments
- Bedforms and structures generated by unidirectional and oscillatory flows.
- Deposits of subsea landslides and gravity flows.
- The erosional structures.

C) Facies, associations of facies, deposition systems and sedimentary environments
- Sedimentary environments and depositional systems.
- Continental environments.
- Transitional environments.
- Marine and oceanic environments.


Module 3 - Physical geography and geomorphology (Prof. A. Zerboni)
This module includes concepts of Physical Geography and Geomorphology, and will introduce the major endogenous and exogenous processes contributing to shaping Earth's surface and building landforms. The agents in charge of the activation of surface processes will be also illustrated. During lessons, an overview of the major geomorphological processes will be presented, and they will be illustrated analyzing specific weathering, erosional, and depositional landforms.

A) Fundamentals of Physical Geography
- The climate system.
- The major processes of weathering, erosion, transportation and sedimentation.
- The interaction at Earth's surface between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.

B) The major processes in geomorphology
- The Earth's dynamic and endogenous processes.
- The exogenous processes.

C) Processes and landforms
- Structural and lithological control on landforms.
- Physical, chemical, and biological weathering and pedogenesis.
- Dissolution of rocks and karst geomorphology.
- Water-related processes and fluvial geomorphology; evolution of the hydrographic network and identification of erosional and depositional landforms.
- Periglacial and glacial processes and landforms and the effect of ongoing climate change.
- Slope processes and landforms; classification of landslides.
- Basic concepts on human geomorphology.