Learning objectives
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This course is intended for students of the Corso di Laurea Specialistica in Conservazione della Natura and provides the fundamentals about the origins and meanings of Apennine rocks and the relations between geologic structures and Apennine landscape evolution.<br />
The course involves field observations intending to put particular emphasis on the investigation of the Geological Heritage, that are the rocks and the structures which record important evidence of the geological history. Lastly, the course reveals that Geology is a logical place to start in developing an understanding of many environmental problems.<br />
Several field excursions are planned on the Emilia Apennines that offer an outstanding natural laboratory for this educational program.
Course unit content
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A- The geological features of the Northern Apennines:<br />
- Lithostratigraphy of the major Apennine sequences;<br />
- Structural framework of the Northern Apennines.<br />
B- The Northern Apennine landforms:<br />
- Bedrock composition and tectonic deformation controlling the evolution of the slope morphology;<br />
- Geological structures influencing the drainage network;<br />
- Different kinds of geological landscapes.<br />
C- Resources and geological hazard in the Northern Apennine area:<br />
- Subsurface water resources;<br />
- Rock resources and quarrying;<br />
- Mass wasting and landslides;<br />
- Earthquake related Hazard in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines;<br />
- Natural surface subsidence and subsidence induced by groundwater extraction in Po Plain area.
Bibliography
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Casati P. & Pace F. - "Scienze della Terra. L’atmosfera, l’acqua, i climi, i suoli". Città Studi, Milano, 1991.<br />
Guide Geologiche Regionali – "Guida 6, L’Appennino ligure-emiliano". BEMA, Milano, 1994.<br />
Roberts J. L. – "Guida alle strutture geologiche". Muzzio Ed., Padova, 1991.<br />
De Marchi A. – "Guida Naturalistica del Parmense". Graphital Ed., Parma, 1997.
