PHYSICAL GEOLOGY

GEO/03 - 12 CFU - 1° Semester

Teaching Staff

ROSANNA MANISCALCO
GIORGIO DE GUIDI


Learning Objectives

At the end of the course the student will acquire Knowledge and comprehension of: Earth interior and structure, dynamics and plate tectonics processes; main active geological processes; Rock Cycle; weathering processes and landscapes.

He will also acquire Ability to classify main rocks types and related genetic processes, to classify landscapes; to read and use topographic maps, to collect topographic data and to draw a topographic profile. The student will be introduced to the use of topographic data for the graphic representation of the landscape and geological mapping.

 



Course Structure

The course will consist of lectures, active and cooperative lectures, practical work and exercises on topographic and bathymetric maps, work in small groups, field excursions, individual or small group research on defined topics, seminars, essays on selected topics. This will enhance knowledge and comprehension of course contents and acquisition of abilities.



Detailed Course Content

Earth Sciences. Earth interior. From Continent drift to Plate tectonics. Rocks and minerals. Igneous rocks and volcanoes. Volcanoes and plate tectonics. Sediments and sedimentary rocks. Metamorphic rocks. Rock deformation: Folds, Faults. Plate tectonics and mountain building. Surface processes. Weathering and erosion. The hydrological cycle and groundwater. Rivers: Transport to the Oceans. Winds and deserts. Glaciers: the work of ice. Ocean and marine environments. Interacting External and Internal systems.

Laboratory

Mapping the Earth surface: topographic and geologic maps. The use of bathymetric maps and Google Earth to understand physical geology and plate tectonics. Exercises and laboratory experiments on isostasy principle. Plasticine to model faults and folds. Rock classification. Use of the geological compass for geological mapping and collection of geological data (dip of strata, fault planes, etc.).



Textbook Information

1. D. DUFF – Principi di Geologia Fisica di Holmes – Ed. Piccin

2. E. LAVAGNA, G. LOCARNO – Geocartografia. Guida alla lettura delle carte geotopografiche. Ed. Zanichelli.

3. J. P. GROTZINGER, T. H. JORDAN - Capire la Terra. Terza edizione italiana condotta sulla settima edizione americana A cura di Elvidio Lupia Palmieri, Maurizio Parotto. Ed. Zanichelli.

4. M. PANIZZA – Geomorfologia – Pitagora editirce Bologna

5. Dalla carta topografica al paesaggio (ATLANTE RAGIONATO)




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