ECTS - University of Pisa
| Modules | Area | Type | Hours | Teacher(s) | |
| FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOLOGY | GEO/03 | LEZIONI | 48 |
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The course is for students with a non-geological degree. It provides basic concepts of the structure of the Earth, the theory of plate tectonics, the petrogenetic processes and the types of rocks. It also provides basic concepts of stratigraphy, structural geology and tectonics with the definition of the main depositional environments, the sedimentary processes, tectonic structures and deformation mechanisms that regulate the geological evolution of the earth's crust. The course includes laboratories for analysis and recognition of rocks.
During the lessons, ideas will be provided for the interaction between teacher and student in order to implement the use of specific terms of geology
The course is designed for those who enroll in the study course in geophysics following a three-year degree in a non-geological subject. The student will then be provided with the tools to describe and interpret the geological phenomena.
Students will have the ability to describe the geological material presented: rock samples at the mesoscopic and microscopic scale, geological maps, interpretation of satellites photos.
Students will acquire and develop an awareness of environmental issues.
Students will be able to quantify the data obtained from the observation of the geological material presented.
Knowledge of the scientific method, fundamentals of mathematics, physics, chemistry and statistics
Structure and physical properties of the Earth. Plate tectonics: divergent, transform and convergent margins. Characteristics of plate boundaries. The rocks cycle. Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Magmatic activity, global distribution of volcanism and plate tectonics. The sedimentary cycle, sedimentary structures and depositional environments. The principles of actualism, the principle of original horizontality and the Walther's Rule. Stratigraphic units. Stratigraphic contacts. Finite deformation at the mesoscopic scale and rheological behaviour. Brittle and ductile deformation: faults and folds. Thrust systems, deformation mechanisms (fault propagation fold, fault-bend folding) and inversion tectonics. Collisions and orogenic belts, the thrust and folds belt.
Laboratory: Texture and composition of magmatic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks: general classification and recognition in hand specimen.
Lutgens F.K., Tarbuck E.D., Tasa D.G. (2016) - Foundations of Earth Science. Pearson College Div., 534 pp.
• van der Pluijm B.A., Marshak S. ( 2004) - Earth Structures: an introduction to structural geology and tectonics. Norton & Company, 673 pp.
• Christiansen E.H., Hamblin WK (2014) - Dynamic Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology. Jones & Bartlett Learning, 837 pp.
• Skinner B.J., Porter S.C. (1989) - The dynamic Earth. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 0-471-53131-6
• Gill R. (1989, II ed. 1996) - Chemical fundamentals of Geology. Chapman & Hall, 298 pp. ISBN 0 412 54930 1 (Capp 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10)
Oral exam
oral exam
https://polo3.elearning.unipi.it/course/index.php?categoryid=37&browse=courses&perpage=10&page=1
https://polo3.elearning.unipi.it/course/index.php?categoryid=37&browse=courses&perpage=10&page=1
