Sedimentary Geology and Laboratory
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Knowledge and understanding: understand the sedimentary processes and skills in interpreting depositional paleoenvironment
Expected learning outcomes
Applying knowledge and understanding: interpretation of sedimentary successions
Making judgements: making judgments
Communication skills: learning and using thematic language
Learning skills: diverse, according to the ability of the students
Making judgements: making judgments
Communication skills: learning and using thematic language
Learning skills: diverse, according to the ability of the students
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
Basic concepts of Sedimentary Geology: sedimentary facies, superposition rule, Walter's rule.
Classification of sedimentary deposits: chemical, terrigenous and biogenic. Sedimentation processes and sedimentary structures, polarity criteria; stratigraphic continuity vs. discontinuity: stratigraphic gaps and unconformities.
Depositional environments: main depositional environments, characteristics, processes and sediments. Interpretation from the geological record.
Representation of stratigraphic data: stratigraphic logs, lithostratigraphic and chronostratigraphic schemes.
Stratigraphic correlations (with exercises), construction of chrono and lithostratigraphic schemes, paleogeographic maps.
The course includes a daily field work dedicated to the measurement of a stratigraphic log.
The Laboratory practicals include lectures introducing to the main components of carbonate and siliciclastic rocks and their classification followed by practical activity focused on the petrographic analysis of thin sections using a polarized light microscope. Students will acquire the knowledge to be able to describe, classify and interpret carbonate and siliciclastic rocks in terms of texture, composition and depositional environment.
Classification of sedimentary deposits: chemical, terrigenous and biogenic. Sedimentation processes and sedimentary structures, polarity criteria; stratigraphic continuity vs. discontinuity: stratigraphic gaps and unconformities.
Depositional environments: main depositional environments, characteristics, processes and sediments. Interpretation from the geological record.
Representation of stratigraphic data: stratigraphic logs, lithostratigraphic and chronostratigraphic schemes.
Stratigraphic correlations (with exercises), construction of chrono and lithostratigraphic schemes, paleogeographic maps.
The course includes a daily field work dedicated to the measurement of a stratigraphic log.
The Laboratory practicals include lectures introducing to the main components of carbonate and siliciclastic rocks and their classification followed by practical activity focused on the petrographic analysis of thin sections using a polarized light microscope. Students will acquire the knowledge to be able to describe, classify and interpret carbonate and siliciclastic rocks in terms of texture, composition and depositional environment.
Prerequisites for admission
No specific prerequisites are required, it is strongly suggested to have attended the field activity of the first year (Maniva field trip)
Teaching methods
Class lectures, correlation exercises and laboratory practicals on petrographic analysis of thin sections with a polarized light microscope. One-day field trip, with the measurement of a stratigraphic log
Teaching Resources
1) Lecture slides (not enough alone for the exam!) stored in ARIEL
2) Nichols, G. (2009) Sedimentology and stratigraphy. 2nd ed., Wiley-Blackwell
3) Supplementary: Einsele, G. (2000) Sedimentary Basins, Evolution, Facies and Sediment Budget (2nd edition). Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
4) Tucker, M.E. (1981)- Sedimentary Petrology an introduction. Blackwell Scient.
5) Adams, MacKenzie & Guilford, Atlas of Sedimentary Rocks under the Microscope. Longman, 1984.
6) Scholle, P. - Carbonate Rocks Constituents, Textures, Cements and Porosities. AAPG Mem. 27, 1979.
7) https://carbonateworld.com A web Atlas for the petrographic analysis of carbonate rocks
2) Nichols, G. (2009) Sedimentology and stratigraphy. 2nd ed., Wiley-Blackwell
3) Supplementary: Einsele, G. (2000) Sedimentary Basins, Evolution, Facies and Sediment Budget (2nd edition). Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
4) Tucker, M.E. (1981)- Sedimentary Petrology an introduction. Blackwell Scient.
5) Adams, MacKenzie & Guilford, Atlas of Sedimentary Rocks under the Microscope. Longman, 1984.
6) Scholle, P. - Carbonate Rocks Constituents, Textures, Cements and Porosities. AAPG Mem. 27, 1979.
7) https://carbonateworld.com A web Atlas for the petrographic analysis of carbonate rocks
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of three tests:
1) written test on the program topics, to verify the preparation of the student on the of basic concepts and investigation methods used in sedimentary geology
2) graphic resolution of a correlation exercise between three stratigraphic logs with the elaboration of a lithostratigraphic scheme
3) practical test based on the petrographic description of two thin sections (one of carbonate and one of siliciclastic rock) under the microscope
1) written test on the program topics, to verify the preparation of the student on the of basic concepts and investigation methods used in sedimentary geology
2) graphic resolution of a correlation exercise between three stratigraphic logs with the elaboration of a lithostratigraphic scheme
3) practical test based on the petrographic description of two thin sections (one of carbonate and one of siliciclastic rock) under the microscope
GEO/02 - STRATIGRAPHY AND SEDIMENTOLOGY - University credits: 10
Field activity: 12 hours
Practicals: 36 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Practicals: 36 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Berra Fabrizio, Felletti Fabrizio Bruno, Gasparrini Marta, Tiepolo Massimo, Tumiati Simone
Shifts:
Professor:
Berra Fabrizio
Attività Alternativa
Professor:
Tumiati SimoneProfessor(s)
Reception:
Monday 12.30-13.30
via Boticelli 23