Geological Evolution of a Habitable Planet
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The goal of the course is to study the geological evolution of the Earth from its formation to the present day and define the chemical and physical conditions that have enabled the development of multicellular (complex) life on Earth.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge of principles of advanced geology. Ability to analyze natural geological systems in their complexity and interconnection. Specifically, the ability to understand the interactions between the various components of the Earth system for comprehending how our planet functions as a whole. Ability to understand how Earth's cycles work, such as the carbon cycle.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Discussion on the physical prerequisites to simple and complex life. Evolution of the earth and the solar system: the first 500 million years; stabilization of the earth system and structuring of Earth in interconnected 'spheres'; birth of modern plate tectonics and the carbon cycle; description of the long-term carbon cycle and of the Earth's natural thermostat; how does the earth keep liquid water on its surface? Climate variability and extreme climates compared: snowball Earth and the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum. Birth of oxygen: the Great Oxygenation Event and the Neoproterozoic Oxygenation Event. Earth's magnetic field and its shielding effects on the Earth's hydrosphere and atmosphere. Catastrophism as the engine of evolution: the K/T boundary limit and the P / T boundary. Evolution and history of the human species. Final discussions: from chondrites to the Anthropocene.
Prerequisites for admission
none
Teaching methods
Teaching will take place through classic frontal (teacher-student) lectures (to be held online on the TEAMS platform). Flipped classroom sessions with student presentations wull also be organized.
Teaching Resources
Class material on the Ariel web page of the course and on https://sites.google.com/site/evgeoterra/
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam consists of a written test with 1-2 questions on the topics of the course. Students who have attended class for the entire duration of the course can take the final exam also by presenting and discussing a report on one of the topics of the course based on the critical reading of at least 3 ISI scientific articles. The final grade is expressed in n/30 and is communicated through the work.unimi application with the possibility of refusal.
GEO/02 - STRATIGRAPHY AND SEDIMENTOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Muttoni Giovanni
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Muttoni GiovanniProfessor(s)