EARTH PHYSICS
cod. 00432

Academic year 2020/21
3° year of course - First semester
Professor
Academic discipline
Geofisica della terra solida (GEO/10)
Field
A scelta dello studente
Type of training activity
Student's choice
62 hours
of face-to-face activities
6 credits
hub:
course unit
in ITALIAN

Learning objectives

Providing the fundamentals of geophysics on which several aspects relative to all the geology fields are founded. The course gives specific physical tools for an improved and critical understanding of the geologic problems, also in applied geology.

Prerequisites

Physics.

Course unit content

The fields of the planet Earth. The course is organized in four chapters, including: the geo-gravitational field, the figure of the Earth, gravity and isostatic anomalies; the geomagnetic field, sources and rock magnetic properties, secular variations, models, anomalies; the thermal field, rock and planet cooling, thermal models of the crust; earthquake seismology and internal structure of the Earth.

Full programme

The course is organized in four chapters, including: the geo-gravitational field, the figure of the Earth, gravity and isostatic anomalies; the geomagnetic field, sources and rock magnetic properties, secular variations, models, anomalies; the thermal field, rock and planet cooling, thermal models of the crust; earthquake seismology and internal structure of the Earth.

Bibliography

Course notes.

Teaching methods

Lectures and team work.
Lectures will cover both theory and applications.
Laboratory work will be organized in groups of three-four students focusing on the solution of practical problems.

Assessment methods and criteria

Written examination.
The final test is comprised of 4 questions (over 5 available) and a problem. Each answer as well as the solution of the problem score a maximum of 6 points.
Laude is reached scoring 35 points.

Other information