44954 - Analysis of Sedimentary Basins

Academic Year 2011/2012

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Geology and Land Management (cod. 8027)

Learning outcomes

The course aims at providing the student with methods and approaches to study sedimentary basins as geodynamic entities. In more detail, the student will be able to describe and analyze the following processes: (i) basin formation within the context of lithospheric mechanics and plate tectonics; (ii) erosion, denudation, sediment fluxes, and sedimentation rates; (iii) subsidence, geothermochronology, and diagenetic evolution; (iv) stratigraphy, depositional styles, geometry and petrophysical properties of sedimentary basin fills; (v) stratigraphic correlation, facies analysis, mapping methods; (vi) fluid flow in sedimentary basins; (vii) application to the search for hydrocarbons and water resources.

Course contents

(i) Basin formation within the context of lithospheric mechanics and plate tectonics; (ii) erosion, denudation, sediment fluxes, and sedimentation rates; (iii) subsidence, geothermochronology, and diagenetic evolution; (iv) stratigraphy, depositional styles, geometry and petrophysical properties of sedimentary basin fills; (v) stratigraphic correlation, facies analysis, mapping methods; (vi) fluid flow in sedimentary basins; (vii) application to the search for hydrocarbons and water resources.

Readings/Bibliography

Allen P.A., Allen J.R. (2005) Basin Analysis - Principles and Applications. [2a edizione] Blackwell Science

Miall A.D. (2000) Principles of Sedimentary Basin Analysis. [3a edizione] Springer Verlag

Busby C.J., Ingersoll R.V. (1995) Tectonics of Sedimentary Basins. Blackwell Science

Teaching methods

Classes, labs, seminars, excursions.

Assessment methods

Test(s) and oral examination.

Teaching tools

Geologic databases, geologic maps, computer software.

Office hours

See the website of William Cavazza