Marine Geology

A.Y. 2024/2025
6
Max ECTS
52
Overall hours
SSD
GEO/01
Language
English
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide a critical knowledge on deep marine geological settings and processes, to facilitate Students to understand the relevance of oceanic georesources and environmental concerns, preparing them to act responsibly in the fields of exploitation, management and protection
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding : knowledge of indirect and direct survey methods used in marine geology, specifically in the exploration of marine georesources. Main characteristics of oceanic crust and sediments. Geological evolution of the oceans. Critical reading capacity of scientific papers regarding geodynamic-paleoceanographic reconstructions based on marine geology data.
Applying knowledge and understanding: Ability to apply the acquired skills to the study of the geological evolution of the oceans.
Making judgements: Distinction between data to be acquired and their use for modeling. Evaluation of the geological processes that operate at and below the oceanic seafloor, specifically in the formation of georesources.
Communication skills: Ability to describe and illustrate the knowledge gained during the course.
Learning skills: Ability to use the acquired knowledge to delineate the geological processes and geodynamics of the oceanic system in the present and in the geological past, in particular as far as maribe georesources are concerned. Ability to critically read scientific papers .
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

teaching activated every other year: active in the a.y. 2024-25

Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
1) Marine and oceanic basins: geodynamic setting Geological evolution of oceanic basins
2) Exploration of the oceans: direct and indirect methods, historical view and perspectives of ODP and industrial exploration projects
3) Oceanic sedimentation: major controls, sources and sinks of deep marine sediments. Ocenography and biogeochemical cycles.
4) Sediment types, stratigraphic styles and cyclicity; sedimentological, biological and geochemical signatures
5) Marine Georesources: what, where, how many? Quantification of deep and ultra-deep resources and their extraction. Challenges and perspectives.
* HC reservoirs in the deep sea. Present settings and geological past settings.
* Non-HC georesources in the deep-sea: polymetallic nodules and hydrothermal deposits. Chemo-physical conditions and processes. Geodynamic settings
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of geology
Teaching methods
The course consists of 2 teaching modules:
Module I: 5 cfu of FRONTAL LESSONS = 40 hours
Module II: 1 cfu of exercizes = 12 hours
Teaching Resources
PPTs and lecture notes . Specific handouts and publications

Reference TEXT-BOOKs

E. Seibold and W. Berger (2017)
THE SEA FLOOR (An Introduction to Marine Geology) Fourth Edition - Springer

Y.Fouquet and D. Lacroix (Editors) (2014)
DEEP MARINE MINERAL RESOURCES - Springer
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam includes an oral test, possibly integrated with a brief report and discussion of articles on specific topics
GEO/01 - PALEONTOLOGY AND PALEOECOLOGY - University credits: 6
Practicals: 12 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor: Erba Elisabetta
Professor(s)