Earth Physics

The main objective is to provide students with the basic concepts of Earth physics and the tools needed to process and use geophysical data.

The course is delivered through lectures, laboratory exercises and seminars. Lectures are aimed at providing the theoretical and methodological foundations of Earth physics, while laboratory exercises allow students to apply this knowledge to the analysis and interpretation of real or simulated geophysical data through simple processing, graphs, profiles and maps.

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.

1. Introduction: definition of geophysics, spectral analysis, convolution, cross-correlation, digital filtering.
2. Planet Earth: the discovery of the planets, Kepler's laws of planetary motion, orbital parameters, characteristics of the planets, Titius-Bode law, angular momentum, origin of the solar system.
3. Gravitational field and gravimetric methods: physical bases, variation of g with latitude, shape of the Earth, geoid, measuring instruments, gravity corrections, interpretations of gravity anomalies, applications.
4. Earth's magnetic field and magnetic methods: basic concepts, magnetic properties of materials, the earth's magnetic field, measuring instruments, surveys, magnetic anomalies, applications.
5. Applied seismology - basics: stress and strain, seismic waves, propagation, seismic sources, recording of seismic signals.
6. Seismic refraction: critical refraction and head waves, half-space, horizontal layer, two horizontal layers, horizontal multi-layers, inclined layer, survey, applications.
7. Reflection seismic: general considerations, equation of reflected waves, reflected waves and depth, reflected waves and velocity, method t² - x².
8. Earthquakes: elastic rebound, seismic cycle, fault geometry, focal mechanisms, locations, magnitude and intensity, seismograms, internal structure of the Earth.

 Laboratory

1. Seismology: reading seismograms, epicenter triangulation using P and S wave arrival data, analysis of significant seismic events through public datasets.
2. Gravimetry: calculation of gravitational acceleration under different geographical conditions, analysis of real gravimetric profiles, interpretation of gravity anomalies to infer geological structures.
3. Earth Magnetism: measurements with a magnetometer (or simulations using real data), analysis of magnetic maps, study of magnetic field reversals and rock magnetism.
4. Kepler’s Laws and Orbital Dynamics: calculation of orbital parameters from observational data, simulations of planetary and satellite motion, determination of Earth’s mass from orbital period.

1.      Kearey et al. (2002). An Introduction to Geophysical Exploration. Wiley-Blackwell.

2.      Lowrie (2007). Fundamentals of Geophysics, Second edition. Cambridge University Press.

3.      Reynolds (2011). An introduction to applied and environmental geophysics. John Wiley & Sons.

4.      New Manual of Seismological Observatory Practice (NMSOP-2). https://bib.telegrafenberg.de/publizieren/bibliotheksverlag/nmsop

5.      Stein, S., Wysession, M. (2003). An Introduction to Seismology, Earthquakes, and Earth Structure. Blackwell Publishing.

6.      Havskov, J., Ottemoller, L. (2010). Routine Data Processing in Earthquake Seismology. Springer.

7.      Dispense.

The exam consists of an oral interview lasting approximately 30 minutes, aimed at assessing the student’s knowledge of the theoretical and methodological topics covered in the course and their ability to apply them to the interpretation of geophysical data and subsurface characterization. Students may start the exam by presenting a topic of their choice. The assessment will take into account the correctness and completeness of the answers, the ability to analyse and connect different topics, the appropriate use of technical and scientific language, and the ability to discuss and interpret data, graphs, maps and results derived from laboratory exercises.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it. To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA) referring teacher within their department (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

Talk about gravity acceleration measurements.

Illustrate the different magnetic behaviors of materials.

Explain what is meant by regional and residual gravity anomaly, and how they can be separated.

Describe measuring instruments in geomagnetic methods.

Describe the seismic sources you know.

What is the Titius-Bode law?

Talk about Kepler's laws.

Travel time of direct, refracted and reflected waves.

Talk about focal mechanisms.

Describe the process of locating an earthquake.

Talk about the internal structure of the Earth.

Create an Excel sheet to calculate the travel time of P and S waves.

Create an Excel sheet to calculate the Earth's revolution time.