2021/2022

2022/2023

DM270

GEO/03 (STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY)

DEPARTMENT OF EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

GEOSCIENCES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

EARTH AND PLANETARY MATERIALS AND DYNAMICS

2°

2nd semester (01/03/2023 - 09/06/2023)

6

66 lesson hours

English

ORAL TEST

TOSCANI GIOVANNI (titolare) - 3 ECTS
MAINO MATTEO - 3 ECTS

Students must hold basic knowledge of mathematics, physics, sedimentology, structural geology, physical geography, cartography and petrography.

The course aims at showing to the students the use of different geological dataset (mainly maps, reflection seismic profiles, geological survey, subsoil data, remote sending data, field data) with the aim to produce geological models. Another objective is to evaluate the available data spatial distribution and quality to find the best way to use them to build 2D, 3D geological models. The reliability and uncertainties of a geological model will be evaluated looking at data amount/quality/distribution. Surface (field data) and subsurface data will be correlated in order to build geological models incorporating direct and interpolated/indirect data. Case studies will be showed in order to perform advanced geological measures and analysis like time-depth conversion, decompaction, structure contour mapps and fence diagrams.
Physical models describing the mechanical processes leading the rock deformation are presented and discussed in order to understand the present-day structure, as well as their evolution. Petrological, geochemical and geophysical data will be integrated to understand the tectonic processes from micro- to regional scale.
At the end of the course the students are expected to be able to:
1) Read and interpret (at a basic level) a reflection seismic profile
2) Build up a geological dataset and evaluate its quality
3) Interpolate data to build a 3D geological model
4) Check the quality/reliability of a geological model starting from the dataset on the bases of which it has been built up
5) Evaluate precision and accuracy of the geological model
6) Connect surface and subsurface data
7) Know the concepts at the base of time-depth conversion and decompaction processes
8) Perform geological measures and analysis on geological models like slip distribution, curvature analysis, dip analysis
9)Recognize mechanisms leading geological structures
10) defining physical relationships driving the tectonic processes
11) Discuss deformation structure into the regional context

In the early part of the course, concepts and principles of relection seismic data will be presented. A big effort will be dedicated to practices on specific software on the following topics:
a) Time-depth conversion principles and algorithms
b) Interpolation algorithms
c) Decompaction process
d) Principles to coherently link direct data (filed data) and indirect data (subsoil data) in a 3D geological model.

The second part of the course provides an introduction to the numerical modeling of geological problems by using Matlab. The main topics are: principles and bases of Matlab. Practice with available algorithms. Introduction to principles of coding for simple geological models.
The course is completed with a field trip where students will observe and analyse deformation structures typical of the major tectonic processes associated with compressive, extensional and transcurrent contexts. Physical laws describing the mechanisms will be treated from both theoretical and practical aspect. Moreover, the most diffused digital tools and techniques to collect filed data and transfer them in a data base will be presented. Surface and subsurface data will be used to build up regional cross sections and to discuss thrust belt emplacement and geodynamics models (mainly Alpine belt)

Lectures, practices (computer lab), field trip.
Field trip takes 4-5 days and includes both field work and frontal lessons (in the evening).

Autore: Hahn, Brian D.; Valentine, Daniel T.
Titolo: Essential MATLAB for Engineers and Scientists
Casa Edititrice: Academic Press


Autore: Richard H. Groshong Jr.
Titolo: 3-D structural geology
Casa Editrice: Springer

Autore: A.R.H. Swan and M. Sandilands
Titolo: Introduction to Geological Data Analysis
Casa Editrice: Blackwell Science

Autore: D. Turcotte & G. Schubert
Titolo: Geodynamics Analysis
Casa Editrice: Cambridge

Autore: C.H. Scholz
Titolo: The mechanism of Earthquakes and faulting
Casa Editrice: Cambridge

Autore: F. Rey
Titolo: Introduction to Tectonopysics

Students will be asked to prepare a project about two of the topics covered during the course (one for each part) and discuss the project using the software during the oral presentation.

no more information are needed