Geological Sciences

1. Fundamental notions of the Italian geology. Geodynamic position of Italy in the Mediterranean (interaction between the African, Adriatic, and European plates). Brief geological history of the region (from the Triassic to the Quaternary). 2. Morphological and Structural Elements of Italy Morphological elements of Italy (Alpine Chain, Apennine Chain, Po Plain, Sardinia, Sicily). The palaeogeographic evolution of Italian sedimentary basins. Crystalline basements of the Italian crust, passive margin sedimentary cover, active margin cover (flysch and molasse). 3. Stratigraphy and Structure of the Alps Geological and lithostratigraphic subdivision (Western, Central, and Eastern Alps). The nappe and thrust sheet systems. 4. Tectonics of the Alps Main phases of the Alpine collision (from oceanic subduction to continental collision). Evolution and release of post-collisional stress. 5. Reading and Interpretation: Practical exercises on selected geological maps of the Alpine arc. 6. Stratigraphy of the Apennines Umbria-Marche, Abruzzo, and Southern Domains. The carbonate and turbidite successions. 7. Tectonics of the Apennines Mechanisms of chain building (migration towards the Adriatic). Thrust systems and normal faults (extensional seismicity). The difference between the Alps and the Apennines (collisional chains and arc-trench systems). 8. Structure and Evolution of the Italian Seas Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Seas (back-arc basins). Adriatic and Ionian Seas (foredeep basins). 9. Italian Seismotectonics Distribution of seismicity and dominant stress regimes. Examples of recent seismic sequences. 10. Survey and Interpretation Methods Reading geological maps (advanced exercises). Interpretation of seismic profiles (analysis of fault structures and geometries).

To have consolidated knowledge of the curricula for Geology I and II courses.

Carta Geologica d'Italia alle scale 500.000, 100.000 e 50.000. Doglioni C. (1995): An introduction to the Italian Geology. Ed. Il Salice, Potenza, 1-95.

Class attendance is not mandatory, but highly recommended.

Candidates will be required to read a geological map of Italy, or to present and discuss the fundamental geology of a specific national region.

references provided during the course

Lectures, practical sessions including map reading, and seismic profile interpretation.

-Geophysical and geological observables for the italian region. 4 hours -Stratigraphy and structure of Italy; evolution of Mesozoic passive margins and their evolution into Tertiary active margins. 4 hours -Structure of the Alps; geometry and evolution of the belt; Southern Alps, Austroalpine, Penninic and Helvetic domains; Insubric lineament. 8 hours -Structure of the Apennines; geometry and evolution of the belt; Tyrrhenian backarc spreading. 8 hours -Geology of the italian seas. 2 hours -Hercynian tectonics. 2 hours -Mediterranean geodynamics. 4 hours -Reading and interpretation of geological maps. 20 hours

Basic preparation in sedimentology, geomorphology, petrography, geophysics and geology 1 and 2

Carmignani Luigi, Conti Paolo, Funedda Antonio, Oggiano Giacomo, Pasci Sandro, 2012. Geologia della Sardegna, Geological Field Trips, Vol.4 No.2.2 Carminati, Eugenio, Michele Lustrino, and Carlo Doglioni. "Geodynamic evolution of the central and western Mediterranean: Tectonics vs. igneous petrology constraints." Tectonophysics 579 (2012): 173-192. Carminati, Eugenio, and Carlo Doglioni. "Alps vs. Apennines: the paradigm of a tectonically asymmetric Earth." Earth-Science Reviews 112.1 (2012): 67-96. Cosentino, Domenico, et al. "Geology of the central Apennines: a regional review." Journal of the Virtual Explorer 36 (2010). Doglioni Carlo and Carminati Eugenio, 2012 Structural styles and Dolomites field trip. Mem. Descrittive Carta Geol. D’Italia. Gianolla Piero, Avanzini Marco, Breda Anna, Kustatscher Evelyn,
Preto Nereo, Roghi Guido, Furin Stefano, Massari Francesco, Picotti Vincenzo, Stefani Marco, 2010. Dolomites, 7th InternatIonal Triassic Field Workshop Handy, Mark R., et al. "Reconciling plate-tectonic reconstructions of Alpine Tethys with the geological–geophysical record of spreading and subduction in the Alps." Earth-Science Reviews 102.3 (2010): 121-158. Lentini Fabio, Carbone Serafina, 2014, Geologia della Sicilia, Mem. Descr. Carta Geol. d’It. XCV (2014), pp. 7-414. Molli, G., et al. "Geology of the Western Alps-Northern Apennine junction area: a regional review." Eds.) Marco Beltrando, Angelo Peccerillo, Massimo Mattei, Sandro Conticelli, and Carlo Doglioni, Journal of the Virtual Explorer 36 (2010): 3. Molli, G., and Jacques Malavieille. "Orogenic processes and the Corsica/Apennines geodynamic evolution: insights from Taiwan." International Journal of Earth Sciences 100.5 (2011): 1207-1224. Scrocca, D., et al. "Tyrrhenian Sea." Regional Geology and Tectonics: Phanerozoic Passive Margins, Cratonic Basins and Global Tectonic Maps, Elsevier C 1 (2012): 473-485. Vezzani, Livio, Andrea Festa, and Francesca C. Ghisetti, 2012. "Geology and tectonic evolution of the Central-Southern Apennines, Italy." Geological Society of America Special Papers 469, 1-58. Class notes

Not compulsory but strongly advised

The exam will begin with the interpretation of a geological map discussed during the lectures. Furthermore, a knowledge on the basic elements of the stratigraphic and tectonic evolution of Italy will be required.

Carmignani Luigi, Conti Paolo, Funedda Antonio, Oggiano Giacomo, Pasci Sandro, 2012. Geologia della Sardegna, Geological Field Trips, Vol.4 No.2.2 Carminati, Eugenio, Michele Lustrino, and Carlo Doglioni. "Geodynamic evolution of the central and western Mediterranean: Tectonics vs. igneous petrology constraints." Tectonophysics 579 (2012): 173-192. Carminati, Eugenio, and Carlo Doglioni. "Alps vs. Apennines: the paradigm of a tectonically asymmetric Earth." Earth-Science Reviews 112.1 (2012): 67-96. Cosentino, Domenico, et al. "Geology of the central Apennines: a regional review." Journal of the Virtual Explorer 36 (2010). Doglioni Carlo and Carminati Eugenio, 2012 Structural styles and Dolomites field trip. Mem. Descrittive Carta Geol. D’Italia. Gianolla Piero, Avanzini Marco, Breda Anna, Kustatscher Evelyn,
Preto Nereo, Roghi Guido, Furin Stefano, Massari Francesco, Picotti Vincenzo, Stefani Marco, 2010. Dolomites, 7th InternatIonal Triassic Field Workshop Handy, Mark R., et al. "Reconciling plate-tectonic reconstructions of Alpine Tethys with the geological–geophysical record of spreading and subduction in the Alps." Earth-Science Reviews 102.3 (2010): 121-158. Lentini Fabio, Carbone Serafina, 2014, Geologia della Sicilia, Mem. Descr. Carta Geol. d’It. XCV (2014), pp. 7-414. Molli, G., et al. "Geology of the Western Alps-Northern Apennine junction area: a regional review." Eds.) Marco Beltrando, Angelo Peccerillo, Massimo Mattei, Sandro Conticelli, and Carlo Doglioni, Journal of the Virtual Explorer 36 (2010): 3. Molli, G., and Jacques Malavieille. "Orogenic processes and the Corsica/Apennines geodynamic evolution: insights from Taiwan." International Journal of Earth Sciences 100.5 (2011): 1207-1224. Scrocca, D., et al. "Tyrrhenian Sea." Regional Geology and Tectonics: Phanerozoic Passive Margins, Cratonic Basins and Global Tectonic Maps, Elsevier C 1 (2012): 473-485. Vezzani, Livio, Andrea Festa, and Francesca C. Ghisetti, 2012. "Geology and tectonic evolution of the Central-Southern Apennines, Italy." Geological Society of America Special Papers 469, 1-58. Class notes

The class will include frontal lectures and practicals on the interpretation of geological maps.