2021/2022

2021/2022

DM270

GEO/03 (STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY)

DEPARTMENT OF EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

GEOSCIENCES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

PERCORSO COMUNE

1°

1st semester (04/10/2021 - 14/01/2022)

6

54 lesson hours

English

ORAL TEST

PEROTTI CESARE (titolare) - 6 ECTS

The course is part of the specialist geological training of students in Geosciences for Sustainable Development. The course does not require prerequisites with other courses of the Master's Degree Program. However, knowledge of the geological concepts acquired in the Degree in Geological Sciences and in particular of the basic concepts related to the deformation of rocks are required.

Understanding the deformation mechanisms and rheological behavior of the rocks. Learning the analytical techniques of tectonics and structural geology, with particular reference to their practical applications: characterization of frectured rock masses; earthquake geology; mining exploration and natural resources. Learning methods and tools to quantitatively describe deformation in rocks (stress and strain). Learn to recognize meso- and macroscopic tectonic structures and interpret them mechanically and kinematic. Know the main numerical and analog modeling techniques with their practical applications.

Techniques of tectonics and structural geology. Geophysical techniques: seismic reflection. First motion radiation pattern from a faulting event. Rheological behaviour of rocks. Principles of deformation of rocks: deformation mechanisms, brittle and ductile deformation. Stress and strain: the Mohr diagrams, stress and strain tensors. Tectonic regimes and structural styles. Extensional tectonics and normal faulting. Structural associations of normal faults and extensional structures. Extensional environments and regional examples. Compressional tectonics. Thrust deformation. Thrust systems: geometry of thrust faults, lateral and oblique ramps, back-thrusts, pop-up structures. Duplex and horses, imbricate stack, normal and out-of-sequence kinematic development of thrusts. Strike-slip tectonics. Strike-slip fault associations. Transpression and transtension. Transcurrent environments and regional examples. Inversion tectonics. Salt tectonics. Neotectonics. Faults, fractures and joints: features and analysis criteria. Rock mass properties and structural classifications.
Cross-sections. Geometrical techniques for reconstructing the deformation. Modelling the deformation of rocks. Numerical models. Analogue modelling. Applications to hydrocarbon and earthquake geology.

The course consists of lectures and exercises done during educational field trips. During the lectures and exercises, several examples of structural interpretation of real seismic sections and of tectonic reconstructions of deformed areas will be illustrated and discussed, with the aim of giving students the ability to apply the techniques typical of advanced tectonics.

Notes and papers provided by the teacher.

“Tectonics” E. M. Moores & R. J. Twiss, Freeman and Company.

Fossen H. (2016) - Structural geology, Cambridge University Press.

The evaluation will be carried out through an exam consisting of an individual oral test, aimed at ascertain the skills acquired in relation to the course content. The subject of the exam are the contents of the frontal lessons and didactic excursions performed during the year. The assessment will take into account the ability to communicate and the use of an appropriate scientific language. Through the interview and discussion the knowledge acquired by the student of the main structural mechanisms of deformation of the rocks in the different tectonic settings will be verified. The final assessment is based on the degree of depth and understanding of the topics presented and on the ability to integrate the knowledge acquired during the course. The oral exam will be preceded, during the year, by two practical tests of reflection seismic interpretation.

Non-attending students are invited to contact the teacher to
integrate their preparation with further educational material. The latter will be provided according to their needs, which will be evaluated by the teacher with a special preliminary interview.