Stratigraphic Principles, Terminology and Procedures. Lithostratigraphy and Biostratigraphy: from basic principles to applications. Magnetostratigraphy, Dating techniques, Chronostratigraphy, Geochronology, Standard Global Chronostratigraphic Scale, GSSP, Biochronology, Sequence Stratigraphy, Chemostratigraphy, Cyclostratigraphy, The Precambrian and Phanerozoic main events with focuses on the last 6 Ma: concepts, definitions, applications and case studies.
Material included in the lectures (powerpoint, articles).
Guida Italiana alla Classificazione e alla terminologia stratigrafica. APAT, Quaderni III, 9, 155 pp.
Paléoclimatologie. I & II. Duplessy & Gilles Ramstein. EDP Sciences-Collection: Savoirs Actuels (2013).
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 sedimentary rocks in terms of dynamic evolving environments. 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.
Development of microprojects by students.
Further information
Frequency of 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.
Type of Assessment
Oral test
Course program
Stratigraphy: Past, Present and Future Perspectives. International Stratigraphic Guide. Classification: Principles, Terminology and Procedures. ICS. CIS. IUGS. Lithostratigraphy and Biostratigraphy: from basic principles to applications. Magnetostratigraphy: Concepts, Definitions, and Applications. Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale. Subchrons, cryptochrons, reversals, excursions, hiatuses. Integrated stratigraphy and marine continental correlations. Cenozoic case studies: a. Middle Miocene at Monte dei Corvi; b. Piacenzian-Quaternary continental basins of N. Apennines. Mesozoic case study: Middle Triassic in the Seceda section (Dolomites). Palaeozoic case study: The Carboniferous-Permian of the Central European Basin. Dating techniques: Introduction and overview (14C, 40K/40Ar, 40Ar/39Ar, 230Th/238U, etc.). Radiocarbon dating, reservoir effects, and calibration. Dendrochronology. Ice core dating. Cronostratigraphy and Geochronology: concepts, definitions and applications. Geological Time Terminology, Conventions and Symbols. Date vs duration, time vs time-rock units. Standard Global Chronostratigraphic Scale. GSSP. Biochronology in terrestrial deposits. Case of study: Cenozoic intermontane basins of N. Apennines. Sequence Stratigraphy: Methodology and Nomenclature. Sequence stratigraphic units and surfaces; Hierarchy. Hichnology and Hichnofacies. Case studies in: non marine, deep-water siliciclastic, carbonate and mixed settings. Links to other stratigraphic disciplines. 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. Cyclostratigraphy: from astronomical cycles to the sedimentary record. Concepts, definitions and nomenclature. Potential and limitations. Astronomical time scale. Ancient solar system dynamics. Milankovitch cycles on Mars. Case study: astronomical time scale for the Mediterranean Neogene. The story of a changing Earth since 4.6 billion years. Main events (palaeogeography, eustatism, tectonics, climate, erosion) during Precambrian and Phanerozoic with focuses on the last 6 Ma.