GEODYNAMICS, MONITORING OF ACTIVE GEOLOGICAL PROCESSES AND AI ELEMENTS
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: GIORGIO DE GUIDIExpected Learning Outcomes
The course aims to provide students with advanced theoretical, digital, and laboratory skills to understandactive geological processes, such as hydrogeological instability, tectonic dynamics, volcanic phenomena,seismicity, and crustal deformation, through the use of information provided by geological and geodetic data(velocity vectors). Upon completion of the course, students will be able to design and manage advancedmonitoring networks through the integration of geodetic-topographic techniques (GNSS, total station) andremote sensing methodologies (InSAR, UAV). They will also acquire the basic skills for applying Data Scienceand Artificial Intelligence tools to the analysis of geological and geophysical datasets.
Finally, the following outcomes are expected:
Knowledge and Understanding: "Understanding sedimentary, tectonic, magmatic, and metamorphic geological
processes and the main methods for reconstructing their evolutionary history."
Making Judgments: "Ability to make reasoned decisions when faced with complex problems."
Communication Skills: "Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams."
Learning Skills: "Ability to regularly update oneself." "Ability to integrate new knowledge into operational contexts."
Course Structure
21 hours (3 ECTS) of lectures and 36 hours (3 ECTS) of laboratory and field activities. Specifically, ProfessorCarmelo Monaco will hold 14 hours (2 ECTS) of lectures on the principles of geodynamic processes andexercises on velocity fields (Geodynamics module), while Professor Giorgio De Guidi will hold 7 hours (1ECTS) of lectures on active geological processes and 28 hours (3 ECTS) of laboratory and field activities(Monitoring of Active Geological Processes and Elements of AI module).
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
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
Learning is structured through a strong integration of theoretical, laboratory, and field activities, and isdeveloped according to the following phases:
Geodynamics Module (2 credits):
- Plate tectonics and plates in velocity space, global tectonics, active collisional, subduction, extensional, andstrike-slip tectonic domains. Velocity fields, triple junctions.
Monitoring of Active Geological Processes and Elements of AI Module (4 credits):
- Geological and Kinematic Modeling: Definition of the geological and kinematic model at sites affected byactive geological processes.
- Field and Instrumental Activities: Practical training in the installation of reference points for geodetic andtopographic networks; learning and application of operational protocols for the use of instrumentation and forcarrying out measurement campaigns.
- Laboratory Activities: Processing and analysis of acquired data using specialized software.
- Elements of Computer Science and AI: Introduction to the essential hardware and software requirements forconfiguring computing environments dedicated to the execution of basic Artificial Intelligence algorithms appliedto geosciences.
Contribution of teaching to the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development:
Target 13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related risks and natural disasters in allcountries
Textbook Information
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The context of plate tectonics | A. Cox, R.B. Brian Hart, Latettonica delle placche,meccanismi e modalità, ZanichelliEd. |
| 2 | Divergent, convergent and transform margins | P. Kearey, F.J. Vine, TettonicaGlobale, Zanichelli Ed. |
| 3 | Plates in velocity space. | A. Cox, R.B. Brian Hart, Latettonica delle placche,meccanismi e modalità, ZanichelliEd. |
| 4 | Active geological processes | E.A. Keller, N. Pinter,ActiveTectonics - Earthquakes,Uplift, andLandskape, PearsonCollege Ed |
| 5 | Principles of geodesy; geodetic reference networks; geodetictechniques, applications, geodesy and plate motion | E.A. Keller, N. Pinter,ActiveTectonics - Earthquakes,Uplift, andLandskape, PearsonCollege Ed |
| 6 | Monitoring of active geological processes: Geodetic surveys usingGNSS receivers, Total Station, SAR interferometry, and SAPRaerial photogrammetry | -Arnaldo M. Tonelli Complementidi Telerilevamento Luni Ed. |
| 7 | Monitoring planning and execution, Direct measurements and errortheory, Topographic surveys with Total Station, Geodetic surveyswith GNSS and A-DInSAR techniques, Aerial photogrammetricsurvey with UAV (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) | Lecture notes |
| 8 | Applications of AI technologies to geosciences | Lecture notes |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
The exam takes place in oral and practical form on the topics of the program in order to ascertain the fullacquisition of knowledge and the ability to apply it in relation to the topics covered by the course. The duration is about 20 minutes.
Criteria for assigning the final grade:
The evaluation of the exam will be linked not only to the acquisition of specific knowledge but also to ability tosummarize results, ability to explain the theoretical bases, the methodological approach and the resultsachieved with appropriate use of technical-scientific language. Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it.
N.B. Information for students with disabilities and/or DSA:
As a guarantee of equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students can ask forapersonal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on theirspecificneeds and on teaching objectives of the discipline. It is also possible to ask the departmental contactsof CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or DSAs), in the personof professor Gabriele Lanzafame (https://www.dsbga.unict.it/docenti/gabriele.lanzafame)
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Exercises on velocity planes and triple junctions.
Examples of active tectonic structures in collision, rift and strike-slip areas.
Definition of active geological processes, tectonic structures, volcanic structures, gravitational movements
Methods for studying areas affected by active geological processes
Survey methods in tectonically active areas
Monitoring networks for geodetic-topographic measurements
Examples of studies conducted in tectonically active areas