GEOLOGIA CON LABORATORIOModule MODULO DI GEOLOGIA
Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: ROSANNA MANISCALCOExpected Learning Outcomes
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the fundamental principles of geology, with particular emphasis on the description of sedimentary successions, their correlation in time and space, and their deformation. Specifically, with reference to the Dublin Descriptors, the course aims to provide the following knowledge and skills.
Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of the course, students will have:
the elements used to define the original setting in which a rock body formed;
the main methods for dating a sedimentary succession and the underlying principles;
the elements used to define the deformation of a rock body.
Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
describe and classify rock bodies based on basic units.
Communication Skills
Students will acquire the necessary communication skills and technical and scientific language.
Course Structure
Lessons take place mainly in classroom and slides in .ppt or .pdf format will be made available. Practicals on course contents and exercises will be carried out. Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it. Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
Definition and goals.
STRATIGRAPHY.
The stratigraphic record. Stratigraphic principles. Principle of superposition and exceptions. Polarity of the layers. Principle of horizontality of layers and exceptions. Principle of lateral continuity and exceptions. Lithostratigraphic and lithological unit. Lithostratigraphic correlation. Continuous and discontinuous sedimentary successions. Concept of stratigraphic hiatus. Stratigraphic boundaries and their variation in space and time.
Transgression and Regression. Relative variations in sea level. Unconformities: definition and types. Elements of sequence stratigraphy. Biostratigraphic Unit. The guide fossils and biostratigraphic correlation. Radiometric dating. Radioactive Decay and half-life. Geological time scale. Chronological Units and Chronostratigraphy. Relations between Chronostratigraphic Units and the other Units.
ELEMENTS OF TECTONICS: Faults and folds.
Textbook Information
1. Duff D.: Principi di Geologia Fisica di Holmes. Piccin
2. Nichols G.: Sedimentology and Stratigraphy. Second Edition. Wiley-Blackwell
3. Notes provided by the teacher.
| Author | Title | Publisher | Year | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gary Nichols | Sedimentology and Stratigraphy 2e | Wiley-Backwell | 2009 | 9781405135924 |
| D. Duff | Principi di Geologia Fisica di Holmes | Piccin | 1998 | 88-299-1350-2 |
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Definition and aims of Geology | 2 |
| 2 | Stratigraphic record | 1,2 |
| 3 | Stratigraphic principles | 1,2 |
| 4 | Relationship between orientation of strata and morphology. | 3 |
| 5 | Stratigraphic boundaries: vertical and lateral variations | 1,2 |
| 6 | Transgression and regression | 1,2 |
| 7 | Unconformities | 1,2 |
| 8 | Lithological and lithostratigraphic correlation | 1,2 |
| 9 | Continuous and discontinuous successions | 1,2 |
| 10 | Biostratigraphic Units | 1,2 |
| 11 | Radiometric dating and limits | 1,2 |
| 12 | Geologic timescale | 1,2 |
| 13 | Chronological and chronostratigraphic units | 1,2 |
| 14 | Elements of tectonic deformation: faults and folds | 1,2 |
| 15 | Geological maps and profiles | 1,3 |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Learning assessment may consist of a written (mid-term) exam and oral final exam and/or written/practical and oral final exam. Candidates may in any case participate in the final exam even without attending the mid-term exam. Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it. Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it. Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.
Students may ask assistance to Disability Advisory Centre CInAP https://www.unict.it/en/university/disability-advisory-centre-cinap and to Dept. delegate, prof. ssa Giuseppina Alongi g.alongi@unict.it