Lorenzo Gemignani

 1. Tectono-thermal evolution of northeastern Corsica: New apatite fission-track data from the Cap Corse sector.

Supervisors: L. Gemignani, A. Vitale-Brovarone, F. Giuntoli.
Location: Cap de Coarse, France 

 
Northern Corsica exhibits a complex evolution linked to the Alpine collision (Eocene) and the subsequent extensional phase associated with the opening of the Tyrrhenian Sea (Late Miocene) and the evolution of the Adriatic slab. While the tectonic evolution of central and western Corsica has been studied with low-temperature thermochronology (Cavazza et al., 2001; Danisik et al., 2012; Fellin et al. 2006), the Bastia–Cap Corse area remains poorly constrained. Debates remain on the relative importance of collisional versus extensional processes in driving exhumation, as well as on the timing of late Neogene cooling pulses. This area occupies a key position at the transition between internal Alpine units and external crustal blocks and may record unique signatures of cooling and uplift. To assess the spatial and temporal extent of exhumation new apatite fission-track (AFT) data from 7 samples in NE Corsica were collected.

Main Tasks and expected outcome 

We propose a MSc thesis that will train the MSc student in all stages of AFT methodology, from sample preparation to thermal modelling to assess the relative roles of Alpine and post-orogenic processes in regional exhumation.
The student will learn to process rock samples to mineral separates using standard mineral separation techniques (crushing, sieving, heavy liquids, magnetic separation), mount and polish apatites, etch and prepare them for irradiation, and perform microscope analysis of tracks. AFT ages and track-length distributions will be used for inverse thermal modelling (HeFTy/QTQt). New results will be compared with existing datasets from northern Corsica to test competing tectono-thermal models.
This project delivers new thermochronological data from an under-studied region of Corsica. It strengthens constraints on Mediterranean orogenic and post-orogenic evolution and provides comprehensive laboratory training for the MSc candidate.

Required experience: Field Mapping- GIS-Laboratory Safety courses

References:

Cavazza, W., Zattin, M., Ventura, B., & Zuffa, G. G. (2001). Apatite fission-track analysis of Neogene exhumation in northern Corsica (western Mediterranean). Terra Nova, 13(3), 175–179. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3121.2001.00316.x

Danisik, M., Kuhlemann, J., Dunkl, I., Noreen J., Szekely, B., Frisch, W. (2012). Survival of ancient landforms in a collisional setting as revealed by combined fission track and (U-Th)/He thermochronometry: A case study from Corsica (France). Journal of Geology. 120 (2): pp. 155-173. DOI 10.1086/663873 [http://doi.org/10.1086/663873]

Fellin, M. G., Vance, J. A., Garver, J. I., & Zattin, M. (2006). The thermal evolution of Corsica as recorded by zircon fission-tracks. Tectonophysics, 421(1–2), 299–317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2006.05.001.

2. Burial and Exhumation of the Adriatic Foredeep (Northern Apennines, Italy)

Supervisors: L. Gemignani, G. Vignaroli.
Location: Cinque Terre – La Spezia–Levanto area, Italy

The Northern Apennines are a classic example of a retreating subduction orogen, where foredeep basins record the interaction between thrust loading, nappe stacking, and slab rollback. This MSc project focuses on the Oligo–Miocene Adriatic Foredeep, preserved in the Macigno Formation at the boundary between the Tuscan and Ligurian nappes in the Cinque Terre area.

The student will primarily conduct field-based geological work to document stratigraphy, structures, and tectonic relationships within the Macigno Formation and Canetolo and associated units. Field observations will be integrated with existing thermochronological and vitrinite reflectance data to reconstruct the burial and exhumation history of the foredeep basin during the Cenozoic.

Main Tasks

• Detailed field mapping and stratigraphic logging of foredeep successions

• Structural analysis of thrust and nappe contacts 

• Integration of field data with published thermochronological constraints

Required experience: Field Mapping- GIS 

3. Geomorphic Spatial Analysis of Drainage Systems of the Balkan Peninsula Using DEMs

Main Supervisor: Lorenzo Gemignani; Peter Van der Beek (Unipotsdam, Germany)
Study Area:Balkans Peninsula (Albania, Greece and Northern Macedonia)

This MSc project focuses on the quantitative geomorphic analysis of river networks across the highly deforming Balkan Peninsula. The region represents an excellent natural laboratory to investigate the interactions between surface processes and active tectonics in a complex geodynamic setting.

High-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) will be used to extract and analyse geomorphic and morphometric indices of drainage basins and fluvial networks. These metrics will be employed to assess landscape organization, river network evolution, and the influence of tectonic deformation on drainage patterns.

Main Tasks:

The student will learn how to use spatial and topographic information from fluvial systems to infer geomorphological and morphotectonic processes, with particular emphasis on the response of river networks to active uplift, faulting, and regional deformation.

The project includes training in quantitative geomorphology and the use of TopoToolbox, a MATLAB-based toolbox widely used for the analysis of DEMs and fluvial landscapes.