The basic stratigraphic issues (Lithostratigraphy, UBSU, Biostratigraphy, Magnetostratigraphy, Geo- and chronostratigraphy, Chemostratigraphy, ...) will be recalled and discussed in terms of their application by integrated stratigraphic analyses. An applied approach will also be proposed for the in-depth study of: Sedimentary archives, Sequential stratigraphy, Orbital cyclostratigraphy, Ice cores, Archeostratigraphy, Anthropocene. Case studies will focus mainly on NEOGENE and QUATERNARY.
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
John, K. S., Leckie, R. M., Pound, K., Jones, M., & Krissek, L. (2012). Reconstructing Earth's climate history: inquiry-based exercises for lab and class. John Wiley & Sons. (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 in the classroom and online with multimedia content integration and seminar 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 (consistent with the current situation COVID).
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.
SEDIMENT ARCHIVES: recalls to the main types of marine, transitional and continental deposits and analytical techniques. Focus on ANNUAL ARCHIVES: terrestrial carbonate deposits (travertines, calcareous tufas, speleothems), sapropel, varve, corals, tree rings, glacial ice.
STRATIGRAPHY FROM ICE CORES: in Arctic, Antarctic and high altitude areas.
APPLIED STRATIGRAPHY ON THE MEDITERRANEAN AND NORTH ATLANTIC SEDIMENTARY SUCCESSIONS PLUS ARCTIC AND ANTARCTIC (NEOGENE AND QUATERNARY). Focus (plus field trips) on:
1) The Messinian salinity crisis;
2) the Neogene-Quaternary intermontane basins of the northern Apennines, the case of the upper Valdarno.
THE INTEGRATED STRATIGRAPHIC APPROACH TO THE STUDY OF ICE- CORES AND MEDITERRANEAN SEDIMENTARY SUCCESSIONS WILL ALLOW TO BOTH RECALLS (A) OR INSIGHTS (B) ON THE DIFFERENT STRATIGRAPHIC ISSUES.
A. Recalls, with case studies:
A1. 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.
A2. Unconformity Bounded Stratigraphic Units (UBSU): Nature, types and hierarchy. Relationships with other units. Procedures. Denominations. Application and examples.
A3. 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.
A4. 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.
B. Insights, with case studies:
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 (seminar in collaboration with F. Gamberi-CNR): PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS BY SEISM-STRATIGRAPHIC AND PALYNOLOGICAL ANALYSES. Introduction. Seismic and sequence control processes. Seismic and sequential stratigraphy surfaces. System tracts. Deposition sequence IV. Seismic facies and paleoenvironmental analysis. Palynofacies and palynomorph assemblages as elements for the interpretation of environments and depositional sequences.
ARCHEOSTRATIGRAPHY: An Introduction. Relationships between geology and archaeology.
NEWS ON: Anthropocene (and Urbanocene): chronostratigraphy, GSSP, strata, timescale.