TECTONICS AND SEDIMENTATION

Academic Year 2021/2022 - 1° Year
Teaching Staff: Rosanna Maniscalco
Credit Value: 6
Scientific field: GEO/03 -
Taught classes: 42 hours
Term / Semester:
ENGLISH VERSION

Learning Objectives

The course reviews the basin analysis methods used in natural resources exploration (fossil and renewable) with special emphasis on the integration of stratigraphic, structural, and geophysical data. The course builds on three main disciplines: tectonics, sequence and seismic stratigraphy. Seismic data will be used to characterize clastic and mixed (carbonatic-siliciclastic) depositional systems through time and space.

Knowledge and comprehension of:

  • sedimentary basins in their plate tectonic environment and global tectonics;
  • sedimentary basin formation.

Abilities to:

  • Outline the geometry of geological and sedimentary bodies and the relationships between tectonics and sedimentation.
  • Collect and analyse surface and subsurface geological data;
  • Interpret collected data.
  • Reconstruct the evolution of sedimentary basins.

Course Structure

The course will consist of lectures, active and practical work also using interactive platforms (Mentimeter) and Basin Analysis software (Backstrip), field excursions, small group research projects on defined topics, seminars on selected topics. This will enhance knowledge and comprehension of course contents and acquisition of abilities.


Detailed Course Content

Plate tectonics. Makeup of the Earth: compositional division, rheological division. Basins in their plate tectonic environment. Classification schemes of sedimentary basins. The mechanics of sedimentary basin formation. Basins due to lithospheric stretching: pure shear, simple shear. Basins due to flexure. Isostasy. Foreland basins. Basins associated with strike-slip deformation. Tectonic control on sedimentation. Basin stratigraphy. Relative sea level change and accommodation. Driving mechanisms for stratigraphic patterns. Sequence stratigraphy and seismic stratigraphy. Seismic interpretation concepts. Basin analysis. Subsidence and thermal history. Application to petroleum play concepts.

Laboratory

The use of bathymetric maps and Google Earth to understand and classify sedimentary basins. Exercises on isostasy principle. Seismic stratigraphy: construction of chronostratigraphic diagrams (Wheeler). Exercises on geohistory and backstripping of sedimentary basins. Introduction to the interpretation of seismic profiles.


Textbook Information

1. Allen, P.A. & Allen J.R., 2005 2edition. Basin analysis, Principles and Applications. Publ., Blackwell Scientific Publications.