PHYSICAL GEOLOGY

At the end of the course the student will acquire knowledge and comprehension on:

• Earth interior and structure, dynamics and plate tectonics processes;
• Main active endogenous and exogenous geological processes;
• Rock Cycle;
• Mechanisms and control factors of the landscape evolution .

The student will also acquire his/her own abilities:

• in classifying the main rocks types and related genetic processes;
• in using the topographic maps;
• in interpreting the landforms from topography;
• in drawing topographic profiles

The student will be introduced to the satellite data interpretation to recognise landforms and surface active processes.

The course consists of a 42-hours lectures teaching module, to provide knowledge of theoretical aspects, supported by two 36-hours laboratory and exercise modules, for acquisition of the pratical abilities.

Lectures Teaching Module  (6 cfu/42 hours)

• Physical properties of the Earth
• Orientation in the space and on the Earth surface
• The Geosphere and its components and structure: the solid Earth, the Hydrosphere and the Atmosphere
• MInerals and rocks
• Lithogenetic processes
• Criteria for rock recognition
• Physical geography and Geology of Continents and Oceans
• The Geologil Provinces
• Plate Tectonics 
• Seismicity and Magmatism at global scale 
• Rock cycle 
• Dynamics of the Atmosphere and morphoclimatic zones
• Climate changes 
• Endogenous and Exogenous processes of the relief evolution
• Isostasy
• Landforms and Landscapes
• Landscape and geology
• The sedimentary cycle 
• Vulcanism
• Metamorphism 
• Rock deformation: faults and folds
• Earthquakes and their effects
• Geochronology and evaluation of the velocity-rate of long-lived geological processes 

Lab module on cartography and topography (3 cfu; 36 hours) (Prof. Giorgio De Guidi)

• Use of topographic maps
• Analysis and intepretation of topographic maps
• Elements of digital cartography 
• Analogue models 
• Recognition of landforms
• Landscape analysis from topographic maps 

Lab/exercise module on use of topographic maps (3 cfu; 36 hours) (Prof. Stefano Catalano)

• reading the topographic maps
• map scale determination 
• Geographic Coordinate determination of a point
• Distance and slope measurement
• Orienting lines and surfaces on map
• Use of the compass 
• Constructing topographic profiles
• Reading and interpreting landforms and landscape 

1. D. DUFF – Principi di Geologia Fisica di Holmes – Ed. Piccin

2. E. LAVAGNA, G. LOCARNO – Geocartografia. Guida alla lettura delle carte geotopografiche. Ed. Zanichelli.

3. E. LUPIA PALMIERI, M. PAROTTO - Il Globo terrestre e la sua evoluzione (sesta edizione) – Ed. Zanichelli

4. J. P. GROTZINGER, T. H. JORDAN - Capire la Terra. Terza edizione italiana condotta sulla settima edizione americana A cura di Elvidio Lupia Palmieri, Maurizio Parotto. Ed. Zanichelli.

5. SAURO, MENEGHEL, BONDESAN , CASTIGLIONI - Dalla carta topografica al paesaggio – Atlante ragionato. Editrice ZetaBeta s.r.l. - Vicenza

The final exam includes a practical (written) test to verify the skills acquired during the laboratory activities and a final oral test on all the topics listed in this syllabus

The practical test will consist of making a topographic profile, determining the coordinates of a point and reading topographic maps (e.g., determining slopes, measuring distances, recognizing landscape forms).

The oral test will cover all individual topics listed in the course syllabus, for which the course material to be used is also indicated.

Written test (for example only): 

determination of the scale of the topographic map used in the test;

distance assessment;

slope assessment;

determination of the geographical and kilometer coordinates of a point;

identification of watersheds and drainage basins;

regional classification of a map;

recognition of landscape features;

description of the landscape;

creation of a topographic profile.

Oral exam:

At the end of each lesson, questions relating to the topics covered will be identified and will form part of the oral exam. The set of questions will be published on the Studium platform, on the page dedicated to the course, to help students prepare for the exam.

Questions selected for the 2024/2025 academic year (they may change in part or in full for the 2025-2026 academic year)

1.       Why do earthquakes always occur in the same places?

2.       Types of sedimentary rocks

3.       Relationships between geothermal gradient and solidus curve

4.       Types of faults and how they work

5.       Difference between geography and geology

6.       Endogenous processes and exogenous processes

7.       Effects of gravity on geological processes

8.       Isostasy models and real examples

9.       Physical characteristics of the Earth's interior

10.   Significance of heat flows measured across the Earth's surface

11.   Harker diagram and Bowen series

12. Genesis of oceanic and continental crust: role of magmatic differentiation

13.   Importance of crustal roots beneath continents

14.   Age of oceanic crust and its relationship to the evolution of today's oceans

15.   Geological provinces and relief

16.   Relationship between erosion, isostasy, and exhumation of the deep crust

17.   Relationship between the rock cycle and plate tectonics

18.   Relationships between geothermal gradient and metamorphic facies

19.   Criteria for distinguishing between passive and active continental margins

20.   Forces acting in plate tectonics

21.   Plate margins and tectonic structures

22.   Elements for interpreting erosion cycle models

23.   Factors controlling global climate and seasonal variations

24.   Factors controlling conditions of biostasis and resistasis