31426 - Geology T (L-Z)

Learning outcomes

This course gives the student basic information on the following subjects: (a) identifying rocks and soils in hand samples as well as outcrops; (b) interpreting geologic maps, stratigraphic schemes and geologic cross-sections; (c) estimating the effects of the geodynamic processes on volcanic, seismic and hydrogeologic hazards; (d) assessing from a geologic point of view the construction problems and the environmental impact of civil engineering works. At the end of the course, once passed the final assessment, the student is able to understand terminology and contents of the geologic elaborates required for the planning of civil engineering works.

Course contents

Requirements/Prior knowledge. A high-school level understanding of physics, inorganic chemistry and physical geography is required to attend with profit this course. In addition, the student who knows nothing about the dynamics of Earth is recommended to get acquainted with this topic on high-school textbooks. Fluent spoken and written Italian are necessary pre-requisites, since all lectures, tutorials and study material are in Italian.

Course Contents. This course gives the student basic information on the following subjects: (a) identifying rocks and soils in hand samples as well as outcrops; (b) reading and interpreting geologic maps, stratigraphic schemes and geologic cross-sections; (c) estimating the effects of the geodynamic processes on volcanic, seismic and alluvial hazards (d) acquire basic concepts of hydrogeology and slope stability. At the end of the course, the student is expected to understand terminology and contents of the geologic elaborates required for the planning of engineering works.

Readings/Bibliography

Recommended reading

PRESS F., SIEVER R., GROTZINGER J., JORDAN T. H., Capire la Terra, ed. Zanichelli.

BOSELLINI A., Le scienze della terra e l'universo intorno a noi. (volume 1), ed. Zanichelli.

ELMI C. e DIRETTO M., Geologia, ed. Pitagora.

 

Recommended reading for further information

DESIO A., Geologia Applicata all’Ingegneria, ed. Hoepli.

TREVISAN L., GIGLIA G., Introduzione alla Geologia, ed. Pacini.

SCESI L., PAPINI M., GATTINONI P., Geologia applicata, volume 1 - Il rilevamento geologico-tecnico, ed. CEA.

Teaching methods

The first module of the course is dedicated to the following topics: identification of common minerals in hand samples; identification of common rocks and soils in hand samples as well as outcrops by means of texture, structure, composition and easy-to-assess physical-chemical properties; study of plutonic, volcanic, sedimentary, diagenetic and metamorphic processes, in the framework of the geodynamic processes which control the lithogenetic cycle.

The second module of the course is dedicated to the following topics: application of the principles of stratigraphy, tectonics and geomorphology to the interpretation of geologic maps, stratigraphic schemes and geologic cross-sections; preliminary assessment of geologic hazards related to volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and floods; acquisition of elementary concepts of hydrogeology and slope stability; examples of geological modeling of landslides.

For the whole duration of the course, lectures are supplemented by exercises, organized in two or more rounds of 25 students. In May, students will be allowed to participate to field trips in the Southern Alps and/or in the Northern Apennines.

Assessment methods

The assessment procedure is composed of two partial oral tests, which last about 15 minutes and can be taken either in one day, or in separate days.

The first test consists in the identification of two rock samples of different origins.

The second test consists in the identification in a geological map of two objects of different categories (among stratigraphy, tectonics and geomorphology).

Both tests are integrated with general questions about the geologic processes and their practical implications.

In order to get a passing grade, it is necessary to explain the origin of the sampled rocks/soils and the mapped objects. A higher grade can be awarded to the student who provides a detailed description of the sampled rocks/soils and the mapped objects, pointing out their engineering characterization in a clear technical language. A failing grade in one or both tests can derive from the ignorance of basic concepts, sometimes worsened by a misuse of the technical language.

When the student has achieved at least a passing grade for each partial test, the final grade is calculated as an average of the two partial grades, which can be rounded up or down to the teacher's discretion.

Teaching tools

Video projector and personal computer are used for all lectures and some exercises. In the exercise room, 270 samples and 14 geologic maps of Italy at a 1/100000 scale are available. The course DVD, which can be purchased from the copy service of the faculty library, encloses the following study material: (a) all computer presentations projected in the lecture theatre, with many additional explanations; (b) high resolution pictures and complete descriptions of the best 100 samples of the collection; (c) high resolution scans of the 14 geologic maps available in the exercise room, with a list of objects to search and many already found and described examples; (d) the course guidebook, which can be also purchased in photocopy. Each student is recommended to help him/herself with an 8x - 10x magnifying glass, which is particularly useful for the identification of fine-grained rock and soil samples.

Office hours

See the website of Alberto Landuzzi