INNOVATIVE METHODS IN MARINE GEOLOGY

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

The course aims to provide students with knowledge of the sedimentary geological processes that control the formation of the planet and allow for the reconstruction of its history, with specific reference to Marine Geology topics. It includes practical applications and statistical data processing using specialized software, which allows for advanced cartographic representations, seafloor modeling, and the visualization of offshore geological data.

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING The student will be able to integrate various types of geological data, such as marine sedimentation in relation to small and large-scale relative sea-level changes, cyclostratigraphy, and the astrochronological dating of marine sediments. Furthermore, they will be able to produce bathymetric models for the morphological characterization of the seafloor, as well as 2D and 3D reconstructions of continental shelf sedimentary bodies through the use of specific computer and statistical applications.

MAKING JUDGEMENTS The student will acquire the ability to independently identify the most appropriate indirect investigation methodologies—such as seismic profiles—for the characterization of various offshore geological contexts, adapting them to the specific spatial and temporal scales required. They will also be able to critically analyze and evaluate the geological models derived from such surveys.

LEARNING SKILLS The student will learn to select the most appropriate methods to achieve the expected objective (example: relationship between methodologies and offshore geological problems to be addressed), to work in a team and to critically select the data useful for the work to be carried out from the large databases available. Furthermore, the student will develop the ability to periodically update their skills to keep pace with the evolution of scientific and technological knowledge in the field of marine geology.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS The student will be able to illustrate and highlight the acquired knowledge through the creation and oral presentation of a PowerPoint file and a written report.

The course will be taught in the classroom, with the aid of PowerPoint slide projections. The laboratory part involves the processing of data and seismic profiles using PCs and appropriate software.

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.

Part I. Milankovitch cycles and cyclostratigraphy. Effects of insolation variations on marine sedimentary successions. Indicators of cyclicity in marine sedimentary successions. Astrochronological dating methods. Statistical methods for cyclic signal analysis in sedimentary successions.

Part II. Characteristics of the coastal marine environment. Marine waves and related coastal processes. Elements of coastal dynamics. Quantitative assessment techniques for coastal erosion rates in a GIS environment.

Part III. Evolution of sedimentary bodies in relation to eustatic variations, with particular reference to the shelf environment; bathymetric data processing; 2D and 3D analysis of offshore seismic profiles and reconstruction of sedimentary bodies.

1.     Schwarzacher W., 1993. Cyclostratigraphy and the Milankovitch Theory. Developments in Sedimentology 52, Elsevier, 225 pp.

2.     Hilgen F., 2003. Astronomical Solution: from Solar System to Insolation; Astronomical Time Scale: from Cycles to Geological Time. In “Paleoceanography: Theory and Field 3. evidence”, Paleoceanography School, Naples 25 September-2 October 2003, pp. 2-16.

3.     Komar P.D., 1998. Beach processes and sedimentation. Second edition. Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ (USA). 544 pp.

4.     French P.W., 2001. Coastal defences. Processes, problems and solutions. Routledge, London (UK). 366 pp.

5.     Masselink G., Hughes M.G., 2003. Introduction to coastal processes & Geomorphology. Arnold, London (UK). 354 pp.

6.     Reading H.G., 1996. Sedimentary Environments: Processes, Facies and Stratigraphy. Blackwell Science, Oxford (UK). 688 pp.

7.     Lecture notes and slides provided by the professor. Additional readings for in-depth study of the topics covered will be suggested at the end of each lesson.

Effects of insolation variation on marine sedimentation.

Elements of a beach.

Subdivision of a depositional sequence.

Spectral analysis of calcimetry data.

Estimation of long-term, medium-term, and short-term coastline variation.

3D reconstruction of a continental shelf sector from seismic profiles.