REGIONAL GEOLOGY
cod. 00468

Academic year 2007/08
1° year of course - Second semester
Professor
Academic discipline
Geologia strutturale (GEO/03)
Field
Discipline geologiche e paleontologiche
Type of training activity
Characterising
84 hours
of face-to-face activities
6 credits
hub:
course unit
in - - -

Learning objectives

The first part of the course provides an introduction to the Italian geological configuration and to the main features of the Mediterranean Alpidic belts. The paleogeographic-paleotectonic scenario for the evolution of the European Paleozoic belts is shown; the Mesozoic geodynamics and the subsequent Alpidic orogeny are also presented. Finally this part of the course explains the geological outline of the Alps and the structural setting of the Apennine belt. <br />
The second part of the course provides some fundamental geological informations about the Northern Apennines and summarizes the basic stratigraphic frame and the main structural features of the Ligurian-Emilian and Tuscan-Emilian Apenninic sectors that are examinated through some excursions. <br />

Prerequisites

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Course unit content

<p> Program of the first part: <br />
<br />
The main features of the Paleozoic Europe. <br />
<br />
A- The Precambrian massifs of stable Europe and the Caledonian orogeny: <br />
- the Paleozoic geodynamical evolution; <br />
- the Caledonian orogeny in Laurasia; <br />
- the tectonic setting of the European Caledonian belts. <br />
<br />
B- The Hercynian orogenic system: <br />
- the Hercynian structural outline; <br />
- the Hercynian oceanic sutures; <br />
- the Paleozoic tectonic evolution of Sardinia. <br />
<br />
The Alpidic orogenic system. <br />
<br />
A- The Mesozoic geodynamical evolution: <br />
- the Paleotethys subduction; <br />
- the Neotethyan oceanic domain and its consumption. <br />
<br />
B- The Alpine Mediterranean orogens: <br />
- the Mediterranean ophiolites; <br />
- the simplified tectonic setting of the Mediterranean region; <br />
- the Neogene Mediterranean geodynamical evolution. <br />
<br />
C- The Alps and Apennines: <br />
- the tectonic deformation, the metamorphism and magmatism affecting the belts; <br />
- the Alpine Molasse foredeep basin and the Adriatic-Po Plain foredeep related to the frontal Apenninic tectonic structures. <br />
<br />
D- The stratigraphic evolution of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic sequences of the Southern Alps: <br />
- the Mesozoic paleogeographical reconstructions; <br />
- the main stratigraphic sequences; <br />
- the Dolomites stratigraphical outline. <br />
</p>
<p><br />
Program of the second part: <br />
<br />
The geological outline of the Northern Apennines and the Neogene geodynamical evolution of the Mediterranean area. <br />
<br />
The structural framework and the main tectonic structures of the Ligurian-Emilian and Tuscan-Emilian Apenninic sectors. <br />
<br />
The sedimentary sequences and the tectonic units involved in the Northern Apennine fold-thrust belt. <br />
<br />
The tectonic evolution of the Northern Apennines: the pre-Helminthoid Flysch deformations, the middle Eocene collisional deformations and the post-compressional structures affecting the Neogene Apenninic wedge. <br />
<br />
The critical analysis of recent literature on the Northern Apennine paleotectonical and paleogeographical reconstructions. <br />
</p>

Full programme

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Bibliography

Gasperi G.- “Geologia Regionale”. Pitagora Ed., Bologna, 1995. <br />
Bosellini A. – “Storia geologica d’Italia”. Zanichelli Ed., Bologna, 2005. <br />
Vai G.B. & Martini I.P. - “Anatomy of an Orogen”. Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2001. <br />
Marthaler M. – “Le Cervin africain?”. L.E.P. Loisirs et Pèdagogie Ed., Lausanne, 2002. <br />
Bosellini A. – “Geologia delle Dolomiti”. Athesia Ed., Bolzano, 1996. <br />
Mattauer M.- “Messaggi di pietra”. Zanichelli Ed., Bologna, 2001. <br />
Guide Geologiche Regionali - “Guide 1-4-6-7". BEMA Ed., Milano. <br />

Teaching methods

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Assessment methods and criteria

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Other information

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