69723 - Tectonophysics

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will know about the acquisition of gravimetric data and their use for geophysical prospecting. He will possess advance knowledge about evidences and models of geodynamical phenomena concerning with the Earth interior.  In particular, the student will be able to interpret the rheological behaviour of the Earth interior and to constrain large-scale processes (topographic load compensation, post-glacial rebound, subduction zones) with taking into account surface data.

Course contents

Gravimetry

Basic principles, absolute and relative measurements; gravimeters; land, sea and airborne gravity surveys . Corrections to gravity. Gravity anomalies and their interpretation. A practical experience, consisting in executing a micro-gravimetric survey, with data elaboration, will be realized.  

Solid-state creep.

Properties of rock deformation. Rheological stratification of the Earth. Ductile behavior of rocks on the basis of microphysics processes. Experimental and geological evidences. Linear and nonlinear rheology. Viscous, viscoelastic and plastic models for the study of the rheology of the crust, lithosphere and mantle.  Folding.

Lithospheric plates.

Elastic lithosphere. Lithospheric flexure due to horizontal and vertical loads, application to subduction processes. Gravitational effects of the lithospheric flexure: compensation ratio. Stress diffusion.  Subduction angle.

Mantle rheology. 

Lithosphere and asthenosphere. Thermal lithosphere. Estimate of the shear stress in the Earth mantle. Mantle viscosity, determination from the study of post-glacial rebound data.

Readings/Bibliography

-D.L. Turcotte, G. Schubert. Geodynamics. Second or Third Edition, Cambridge University Press.

Teaching methods

Lessons, ercises in the lecture-hall and a field experience.

Assessment methods

The learning assessment consists of an oral examination. The examination tends to evaluate the fulfilment of the Course learning outcomes:

-Knowledge about the acquisition and usage of gravimetric data for geophysical prospecting.
-Knowledge of main evidences that allow constraining geodynamic processes and the rheology of the Earth interior.
-Knowledge of modelling of geodynamic processes and related inferences about Earth Interior features.

The final score of the course of Tectonophysics is determined as the average of the scores obtained by answering three questions about the main Course subjects.

Teaching tools

Blackboard, overhead projector and gravimetric instruments.

Office hours

See the website of Maria Elina Belardinelli

See the website of Paolo Baldi