Learning objectives
The main objective is that to show the huge potentiality of the sedimentology and facies analysis applications not only from a scientific point of view but also from an exploration point of view. These concepts , in part introduced in the course of Sedimentology, will be further discussed and deepened through the pesenteation of a great number of field studies deriving from many famous and important sedimentary basins of the mediterranean area.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of stratigraphy and sedimentology
Course unit content
Stratigraphy and sedimentology of the terrigenous deposits with particular emphasis to the depositional systems dominated by sediment gravity flows, i.e. fluvial, deltaic and turbidite systems. An introduction to the contourite deposits will be also given with some examples deriving from the brazilian offshore.
In particular, these arguments will be developed through the discussion of field studies deriving from: fluvio-deltaic systems of the south central Pyrenees and Tertiary Piedmont Basin; foredeep and piggy-back turbidite systems of the northern Apennines, french Alps and south central Pyrenees.
Full programme
Stratigraphy, facies and processes of fluvio-deltaic and turbidite depositional systems:
A) Alluvial and fluvial systems
B) Flood dominated fluvio-deltaic systems (fan delta and river delta systems)
C) Mixed fluvio-turbidite systems (Type A and Type B systems)
D) Deep water depositional systems (turbidite and contourite depositional systems)
For highlighting the applications of the sedimentology, the following field studies will be presented (the letters are related to the depositional systems mentioned above):
A) Campodarbe and Castissent Allogroups (south central Pyrenees)
B) Figols, Castigaleu, Castissent and Santa Liestra Allogroups (south central Pyrenees), Molare I Allogroup (Tertiary Piedmont Basin), Plio-Pleistocene deposits cropping out in the Enza river (northern Apennines) and in the Sant’Arcangelo Basin (Basilicata, southern Italy)
C and D) Macigno, M. Cervarola Sandstones, Marnoso arenacea Formation, Ranzano Sandstones (northern Apennines); Molare II and III Allogroups (Tertiary Piedmont Basin); Annot Sandstones (south France); Hecho group (south central Pyrenees)
Bibliography
Allen JRL. (1982) - Sedimentary structures, vol. I and II. Elsevier
Allen JRL (1985) – Principles of Physical stratigraphy. Blackburn Press.Bosellini A., Mutti E., Ricci Lucchi F. (1989) – Rocce e successioni sedimentarie. Casa Editrice UTET
Reading H.G. (1997) - Sedimentary Environments: Processes, Facies and Stratigraphy. Thrid Edition, Blackwell Science.
Mutti E. (1992) - Turbidite Sandstones. AGIP
Pickering K.T and Hiscott R.N. (2016) - Deep Marine Systems, processes, deposits, environments, tectonics and sedimentation. WILEY and AGU Edition.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons focused to deepening both theoretical and practical aspects. The course will be integrated by numerous field trips in the northern Apennines, south eastern France and Tertiary Piedmont basin focused on various exercises of description and interpretation of fluvio-deltaic and turbidite systems with particular emphasis to the problems of tectonics and sedimentation.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral test with particular emphasis to the concepts introduced in the field trips. The main objective is that to understand the capacity of the student to solve analytical problems focused on the relationship among facies, processes and structurally-controlled basin morphology
Other information
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