A: KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

The course aims to provide students with the fundamental principles of Stratigraphic Geology, which aims to describe, organize, and classify rock successions and correlate them in time and space.

• Demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of essential features, processes, history, and materials of the Earth System: Acquire principles of stratigraphy (lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, chronostratigraphy) to reconstruct the sedimentary evolution of sedimentary basins and the Planet's paleo-environmental variations.
• Adequate mapping skills in the field of Earth Sciences (e.g., reading maps, geological mapping, drawing geological cross-sections and logs): Develop the ability to map sedimentary successions in the field, correctly representing them through the construction of synthetic stratigraphic columns, geological cross-sections, and basin-scale correlations.
• Ability to collect, process, and interpret qualitative and quantitative data from various sources: Know how to extract and synthesize information from measured field stratigraphic sections, rock samples, core logs, and geological databases, translating heterogeneous data into coherent correlation models and paleo-environmental reconstructions.
• Relevant skills for all major job sectors in Earth Sciences: Provide the methodological foundations of stratigraphy essential for official geological mapping, natural resource exploration and management, geological hazard prevention, and land-use planning.

B: APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

• Ability to observe and understand the environment: Recognize sedimentary lithofacies, depositional structures, and rock body geometries in the field to infer original continental, transitional, or marine depositional settings.
• Application of simple quantitative methods, including geospatial ones, to Earth systems: Apply techniques for calculating sedimentation rates and the duration of sedimentary processes, integrating spatial analysis methods for mapping and correlating lithostratigraphic units.
• Ability to collect, process, and interpret qualitative and quantitative data from various sources: Apply stratigraphic sampling procedures in outcrop and borehole cores, combining them with well logs for the reconstruction of complex depositional models.

C: MAKING JUDGEMENTS

• Ability to perceive and understand the spatial and temporal dimensions of geological processes and their effects on the planet: Develop the concept of geological time and different spatial scales to evaluate the impact of eustatic and climatic variations on the sedimentary record.
• Demonstrate the ability to conduct independent, original, and ultimately publishable research in Earth Sciences: Develop a critical approach in selecting and applying stratigraphic correlation methodologies to solve complex geological problems.
• Ability to define, determine, and implement a strategy to solve an Earth Science problem and produce a substantial report or thesis: Independently plan a field or laboratory stratigraphic study, organizing and discussing the collected data within a technical report or thesis project.

D: COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• Effective use of Italian and an EU language (English): Draft accurate geological-stratigraphic reports to present in both Italian and English.
• Dissemination and outreach of topical environmental issues: Disseminate geological-stratigraphic information about known areas, adapting language for specialists and non-specialists.

E: LEARNING SKILLS

• Possession of basic cognitive tools for continuous updating: Independently update theoretical and practical skills related to the topics covered in the course.
• Consultation and retrieval of bibliographic data and online resources: Search for and critically evaluate scientific literature, databases, and digital resources.

The course is structured as follows:
- Traditional lectures, conducted using a participatory approach to maximize student engagement;
- Practical exercises, designed to ensure that students learn how to apply the concepts and methods used in the field of stratigraphic geology;
- Periodic assessments, intended to evaluate students’ understanding of the topics covered in the course and their ability to solve problems.
- Field trip with hands-on application of the methods learned in class.

Have acquired the concepts of the Physical Geology Course (taught in the I semester of the I year of the three-year CdL in Geological Sciences);

Be familiar with the reading of topographic maps and know how to perform a topographic profile proficiently.

Mandatory attendance.

PART I: Introduction

Definition and Purposes of Stratigraphic Geology. Rocky successions and stratigraphic record. History of Geology.

PART II: The Basics of Stratigraphic Geology.

Steno’s Principles and exceptions. Concept of "normal" and "overturned", "high" and "low" in geology. Concept of "Stratum" and "Strata orientation". Polarity of strata. Relationship between strata orientation and morphology of the slopes.

PART III: Successions and Stratigraphic Classification

Basic Stratigraphic Units: Lithostratigraphic, Biostratigraphic, Cronostratigraphic. Stratigraphic Codes and the International Stratigraphy Commission. The concept of "stratotype". Definition of "stratigraphic limit". Vertical and horizontal passages. Temporal meaning of stratigraphic limits. The concept of "Stratigraphic Correlation". Condensed and comprehensive sequences: concept of sedimentation rate. Continuous and discontinuous successions: types of unconformities. Stratigraphic lacune and temporal hiatus. Concept of "transgression" and "regression". Sea level variations.

PART IV: The facies

Definition of facies. Horizontal and vertical facies variations. Unconformity Bounded Stratigraphic units” and relationships with sea level variations. The principle of Walther. Main depositional geometries.

PART V: Methods of dating a rocky succession

Unstable isotopes, radioactive decay and radiometric dating. Concept of "half live". Relative dating methods: Smith's principle, "index" fossils, and the concept of "homotaxy". Geological Time. Age of Earth and first subdivisions of the Geological Time. The Geological Time Scale. Paleomagnetism and Magnetostratigraphic Units. Concept of Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP)".

Part VI: Laboratory

Creating stratigraphic columns from schematic geological profiles and performing stratigraphic correlation exercises.

Creating age models and eustatic curves.

Reconstructing the geological history of an area by applying the principles of stratigraphy.

1. P. Doyle, M. Bennett, A. Baxter: The key to Earth History – an introduction to Stratigraphy, Ed. Wiley.
2. G. Nichols: Sedimentology & Stratigraphy, Ed. Blackwell Science.
3. A. Ferrari: Unità stratigrafiche e correlazioni, Pitagora Editrice Bologna.
4. S. Raffi-E. Serpagli: Introduzione alla Paleontologia, Utet Torino (pagg. 3-20; 419-505).
5. B. Simpson: Lettura delle Carte Geologiche. Edizione italiana a cura di G. Cusimano e P. Di Stefano. Dario Flaccovio Editore.
6. Dispense e appunti forniti dal docente durante il corso o inserite nella piattaforma Studium.

 

Siti internet:

1. http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibit/geology.html
2. http://www.msnucleus.org/membership/html/jh/earth/stratigraphy/index.html

The exam consists of a written test, which typically includes: i) the creation of stratigraphic logs, including correlations and the production of a eustatic curve; ii) the relative dating of sedimentary and tectonic events; iii) the creation of an “age model”; iv) exercises on biostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy; v) the reconstruction of the geological history of an area.
Failure to pass the written exam may prevent the candidate from taking the oral exam. Candidates will be notified of the results of the written exam within 24 hours.
During the oral exam, in addition to delving deeper into the topics covered in the written exam, candidates’ knowledge of other topics in the syllabus will also be assessed.
The final grade will reflect a balanced assessment of the candidate’s knowledge, ability to synthesize information, present material, and make connections between topics, as demonstrated during the exam; however, the student’s commitment, consistency, and interest shown during lectures and laboratory sessions will also be taken into account.
 
Assessment may also be conducted online, should circumstances require it.

- Definition and examples of “stratigraphic correlation”;

- Stenon's principles and their exceptions;

- The concepts of “regression” and “transgression” in geology;

- Stratigraphic units and their significance;

- Geological time.

- Creating an “age-depth diagram”;

- What is a stratigraphic log and how is it created?