Guida Italiana alla Classificazione e alla terminologia stratigrafica. APAT, Quaderni III, 9, 155 pp.
Powerpoint lessons, selected articles from journals: available on the E-learning platform
Reconstructing Earth’s Climate History. Inquiry-Based Exercises for Lab and Class. Kristen St John, R Mark Leckie, Kate Pound, Megan Jones and Lawrence Krissek. A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication. (Chapters: 2-4; 6-8).
Learning Objectives
The course provides methodological and scientific knowledge on stratigraphic principles for palaeographic reconstructions and correlations of geological events and processes in time and space. The goal is to provide an understanding of the order and timing of events in Earth history and to interpret glacial deposits and sedimentary rocks in terms of environments dynamic. The knowledge of the stratigraphic records is essential for understanding the evolution of life, plate tectonics through time and global climate change.
At the end of the course students should be able to:
1. Integrate complex data for summary stratigraphic reconstructions indispensable for basin analyses, geological mapping and exploitation of subsoil resources too.
2. Correlate the different stratigraphic data.
3. Understand the applicability and potential of the main stratigraphic analyses and methods for future research or professional activities.
Prerequisites
Basic elements of geology and sedimentology.
Teaching Methods
Lectures (with multimedia content integration) and seminarial activities.
Ongoing learning: student-instructor interaction and student-student interaction.
Possible development of microprojects by students.
Further information
Frequency to lectures, practice and lab: attendance is highly recommended, but not mandatory; attendance is expected at least 2/3 of practical classes and at lab classes as well. The latter will be carried out both in the classroom and on the field.
Type of Assessment
Oral test: the student needs to answer some questions related to the topics covered in the course. The critical capacity on stratigraphic issues will be also evaluated.
Course program
STRATIGRAPHY: Past, Present and Future Perspectives.
CLASSIFICATION: International Stratigraphic Guide. Principles, Terminology and Procedures. ICS. CIS. IUGS.
LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY, BIOSTRATIGRAPHY, CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHY / GEOCRONOLOGY - PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: 1. Field observations. 2. Logs. 3. Sampling techniques. 4. Fossils; 5. Biochronology. 6. Chronocorrelations. 7. GSSP. 8. Maps and geological sections.
SEDIMENT ARCHIVES PLUS ANNUAL ARCHIVES: 1. references to the main types of marine, transitional and continental deposits. Focus on 2. terrestrial carbonate deposits (travertines, calcareous tufas, speleothems, .); 3. sapropel; 4. varve; 5. corals; 6. tree rings.
UNCONFORMITY BOUNDED STRATIGRAPHIC UNITS (UBSU): Nature, types and hierarchy. Relationships with other units. Procedures. Denominations. Application and examples.
MAGNETOSTRATIGRAPHY: Earth magnetic field today and the paleomagnetic record of deep-sea sediments. Paleomagnetism in oceanic crust. The seafloor spreading hypothesis. The Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale. Relationships with other units. Cenozoic case studies.
CHEMOSTRATIGRAPHY. Isotopes (Oxygen, Carbon, Strontium) as stratigraphic tool. Other tools. Problems and limitations.
Case study: Pliocene oxygen isotope records of the onset of N. Hemisphere Glaciation.
STRATIGRAPHY FROM ICE CORES: in Arctic, Antarctic and high altitude areas.
ORBITAL CYCLOSTRATIGRAPHY: from astronomical cycles to the sedimentary record. Concepts, definitions and nomenclature. Potential and limitations. Astronomical time scale. Identification of rhythmic oscillations in sediments. Identification of time cycles and methodologies of study. Cenozoic case studies.
SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY: Methodology and nomenclature. Sequence stratigraphic units and surfaces. Hierarchy. Case studies in: non marine, deep-water siliciclastic, carbonate and mixed settings. Links to other stratigraphic disciplines.
APPLIED STRATIGRAPHY ON THE MEDITERRANEAN MARINE AND CONTINENTAL SEDIMENTARY SUCCESSIONS (NEOGENE AND QUATERNARY), with focus (plus field trips) on:
1) The Messinian salinity crisis;
2) the Plio-Pleistocene intermontane basins of the northern Apennines, the case of the upper Valdarno.
NEWS ON: Anthropocene and Urbanocene