Learning objectives
The main objective is that to show the huge potentiality of the sedimentology and facies analysis not only for the understanding of the geological hazards but also for the exploration of the georesources. These concepts will be discussed and deepened through the discussion of the gravity flow processes (catastrophic fluvial floods and debris flows) and the presentation 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. Particular emphasis to gravity flows in modern environments will be given. 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 (dynamics of fluvial floods and debris flows)
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
The reference texts are those of the Sedimentology course, in addition a series of specific articles, relating to the topics discussed, will be provided. However, the main reference texts are:
Allen JRL. (1982) - Sedimentary structures, vol. I and II. Elsevier.
Allen JRL (1985) – Principles of Physical stratigraphy. Blackburn Press.
Ciabatti M. (1982) – Elementi di idrologia superficiale. CLUEB.
Maione U. (1995) – Le piene fluviali. La Goliardica Pavese.
Collinson J. and Mountney (2019) - Sedimentary structures. Dunedin 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. The slides used during the frontal lessons, will be uploaded on Elly each week.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral test with particular emphasis to the field cases presented during the frontal lessons and 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. During the lessons, exercises and partial, formative tests will be carried out, useful for monitoring the achievement of ongoing learning objectives and providing feedback to students, before the official oral exam.
The latter will be evaluated on a scale of 0-30 and the grade of the oral exam will be communicated immediately at the end of the exam itself.
Other information
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