Deep Earth structure. Shape, size, mass, density of the earth; composition and internal structure, heat flow, magnetic field, seismic activity.
Minerals and rocks. Physical and chemical characteristics of minerals and rocks; main forming processes, rock cycle.
Igneous rocks. Origin and types of magmas, crystallization and magmatic differentiation. Classification of intrusive and effusive rocks. Notes on the classification of the main metamorphic rocks. Sedimentary rocks. Degradation of rocks, processes and mechanisms of transport and deposition. Composition, textures and sedimentary structures. Diagenesis and lithification. Classification criteria for sedimentary rocks.
Plate tectonics. Continental margins, hot spots; expansion of the ocean floor and magnetic anomalies; orogeny, main mountain ranges and cratons.
Oceanography: hypsographic curve. Continental margins: continental shelf, escarpment, canyon, continental rise and oceanic basin. Mid-ocean ridges. Transform faults. Deep ocean basins: abyssal plains and reliefs, seamounts and guyot. Bathymetric provinces. Methods of investigation of oceanic basins. Sampling methods of marine sediments.
Introduction to basic tectonic principles. Deformation of the rocks, fragile and ductile behavior of the lithosphere. Fractures and faults, kinematic models, folds and foliations.
Introduction to basic stratigraphy principles. Main stratigraphic units. Absolute and relative chronology, geological time scale. Sedimentary dynamics and notes on depositional environments. Deposits of escarpment, turbidites, contouriti, hemipelagiti, pelagic clays.
Volcanism. Origin of volcanoes and their distribution, types of eruptions and lava products, volcanic activity in Italy. Pyroclastic rocks.
Seismicity. Seismic waves, earthquakes, hypocenter and epicenter. Magnitude and intensity. Seismicity and its diffusion on the national territory.
Topographic maps and creating topographic profiles.
ITALIAN VERSION
