GFEOLOGICAL FIELD WORK

Integrated educational activity

Course Sheet

Course code:

GE167

Academic Year of enrolment:

2020

Year of supply:

2021/2022

Degree:

Course of 1st Cycle Degree in GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Language:

Italian

Moduls:

GEOLOGY - 9 credits
GEOLOGICAL FIELKD WORK II - 3 credits

Location:

CHIETI

Credits:

Programme Year:

Cycle:

Second semester

Hours of classroom activity:

120

Prerequisites:

To have already passed the exams: “Introduzione alla Geologia”, “Sicurezza in montagna” and “Geografia fisica”.

Objectives

The Course of Geology allows acquiring the methods for the recognition and the description of the main geological structures from the outcrop scale to the regional one. The interdisciplinary approach of the course also allows analyzing the relationships between geological structures, their tectonic settings and associated sedimentary basins. The practical exercises will enable to acquire the methods for the interpretation of geological maps, geological cross sections and the construction of the basic knowledge necessary for participation in the course " attività di campo”.

Contents

Fundamentals of Structural Geology, Elements of Global and Regional Tectonics, Introduction to Active Tectonics and Geology of the Earthquake. Lab on the use of the compass, stereographic projections, reading geological maps, geological cross sections.

Extended Syllabus

Fundamentals of Structural Geology and Rock Mechanics:
- Stress and Strain in two and three dimensions, Rheology, rocks failure and fracture criteria.
- The interior of the Earth, physical characteristics, compositional and rheological of the various shells of the planet. The concept of isostasy and isostatic equilibrium. Plate tectonics: plates, limits of Wilson cycle.

- Faults, fractures, shear zones: descriptive elements and classification criteria.
- Folds: descriptive elements, the classification criteria and relations between folds and faults;
- Lineation, foliation, cleavage.

Tectonic regimes and structural associations with Elements of Global Tectonics:
-Convergent plate boundaries: main characters of subduction zones (arc-trench systems and Cordillera);
-Fold and thrust belts and nappe complex: definitions, nomenclature, syn-orogenic basins, deformation vs metamorphism;
Transform boundaries and Strike-slip tectonics: structural, relations with other structures and tectonic settings, pull-apart basins, extrusion tectonics;
Extensional tectonics: types of normal faults, extensional basins, models of rift. Continental drift: The contribution of the various disciplines in the evolution of thought from continental drift to plate tectonics.

Salt tectonics.

Examples of Regional Tectonics
• the Alpine-Himalayan chain;
• the Apennines: stratigraphic aspects, structural, palaeo-environmental geological evolution from the Mesozoic to Quaternary Apennines of Lazio, Abruzzo and Umbria-Marche Apennines and relations with the rest;
• The system of East-African Rift: rift geometries and volcano-tectonic deformation along the Rift Valley and the area of the triple junction dell'Afar;
• Rifting and spreading centers in the icy satellite of Jupiter: Ganymede.

Introduction to Active Tectonics and Geology of the Earthquake
• Earthquakes: distribution and characteristics in different tectonic settings, seismogenic active and capable faults, focal mechanisms, notions of seismic hazard.

LAB
• Recognition and methods of representation of structural elements: linear and planar elements, use of the compass, stereographic projections.
• Measurement of Geologic structures and Map pattern: geological boundaries and rule of V; strike-lines and slope triangle, exercises on inclined layers, faulted, folded and angular unconformity.
• Reading and interpretation of real geological maps: identification and characterization of succession, structures and of the geological evolution, exercises on real faults and folds;

Geological cross sections: construction of geological cross-sections at different scales and difficulties through the Apennines.

Recommended Bibliography

Structural Geology:
- Fossen H., Structural Geology, Cambridge University Press (with e-modules and WEB resources at: www.cambridge.org/fossen);
Further information: Twiss R.J. and Moore E.M., Structural Geology (2° Edition), Publisher: Freeman. Available in the library.

Tectonics:
-Deiana G., Elementi di Tettonica, Edimond;
- Kearey & Vine, Tettonica Globale, Zanichelli Eds.;
Regional Geology:
- Guide Geologiche Regionali, (Alpi, Appennino Umbro-Marchigiano, Abruzzo) by Società Geologica Italiana, BE-MA eds. (http://www.socgeol.it/727/guide_geologiche_regionali.html);
- Teaching materials available on the e-learning platform:
- Slides and handouts, Exercises (structural geology, stereographic projections), Geological maps for geological sections, - Structural Model of Italy: Sheet 4, National Research Council.
- list of chapters and pages of "where to study" in the abovementioned texts.

Teaching Methods

Lectures and laboratory. During the lab will be performed exercises on the measurement of geologic structures, reading geological maps, and realized various geological cross-sections in order to prepare students for the practice test exams and for the activities to be carried out in the field.

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

Methods of verifying will integrate in a single examination both the evaluation of the 9 credits of GEOLOGY (6 of Lectures + 3 of Lab. Of Geological cross-sections) and of the 3 credits of the ATTIVITÀ FORMATIVE DI CAMPO DI GEOLOGIA II. The exam will include a practical test and a final oral exam.
Attention:
the PRACTICAL TEST (Geological Section) can be carried out through a single final exam (more challenging) or through two partial tests to be carried out during the course.
-The ORAL TEST will include questions: a) on the whole program of the course carried out in the frontal activity; b) on the geological section of the practical test; c) on the illustrative report and the cartographic works produced individually by the student following participation in the “Attività Formative di Campo”.

Attention, participation at the ATTIVITÀ FORMATIVE DI CAMPO DI GEOLOGIA II, will be conditioned to the overcoming of at least 50% of the teaching hours of theoretical frontal teaching.

Contacts/More Information

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

Aree