02627 - Marine Geology

Learning outcomes

Main geological processes in the formation and evolution of continental margins from the littoral area to oceanic basins; main techniques in marine geological studies and monitoring. Present geological setting of the Italian seas in the framework of the Late-Quaternary and recent evolution of the Mediterranean.

Course contents

Introduction: development of marine geology and of “Plate tectonics”. Geological and physiographic characteristics of divergent, convergenti and transform margins. 

Structure and evolution of continental margins and oceanic basins in relations to their geodynamic setting. Active erosive and depositional processes in the marine environment.

From continental shelves to the littoral area: main factors in the late-Quaternary and recent evolution of shelf and coastal systems. The beach: morphology, sediment characteristics and transport mechanisms.  The shelf and coastal systems in  the view of resources and overall anthropic impacts.

Survey approach in the marine environment: basics of main geological- geophysical techniques  for the study, mapping and monitoring of marine areas.

Physiography of the Mediterranean: geological characteristics of the Italian seas in the framework of the evolution of the Mediterranean Basin.

Readings/Bibliography

The slides used in the lectures will be available in the University web repository.

Among referenced bibliography:

Seibold E. and Berger W.H. - The Sea Floor. An Introduction to Marine Geology. Springer-Verlag.

Teaching methods

The course is composed of 2 credits of frontal teaching and one credit of laboratory exercises.

Assessment methods

Final oral examination.

Teaching tools

Besides the slides of lectures, other integrating material will be used for exercises such as maps, videos, specific softwares, etc.

Office hours

See the website of Claudia Romagnoli