GEODYNAMICS, MONITORING OF ACTIVE GEOLOGICAL PROCESSES AND AI ELEMENTS
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: CARMELO GIOVANNI MONACOExpected Learning Outcomes
The course aims to provide students with advanced theoretical, digital, and laboratory skills tounderstandactive geological processes, such as hydrogeological instability, tectonic dynamics, volcanicphenomena,seismicity, and crustal deformation, through the use of information provided by geological andgeodetic data(velocity vectors). Upon completion of the course, students will be able to design and manageadvancedmonitoring networks through the integration of geodetic-topographic techniques (GNSS, totalstation) andremote sensing methodologies (InSAR, UAV). They will also acquire the basic skills for applyingData 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, Professor Carmelo Monaco will hold 14 hours (2 ECTS) of lectures on the principles of geodynamic processes and exercises on velocity fields (Geodynamics module), while Professor Giorgio De Guidi will hold 7 hours (1 ECTS) 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 is developed according to the following phases:
Geodynamics Module (2 credits):
- Plate tectonics and plates in velocity space, global tectonics, active collisional, subduction, extensional, and strike-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 by active geological processes.
- Field and Instrumental Activities: Practical training in the installation of reference points for geodetic and topographic networks; learning and application of operational protocols for the use of instrumentation and for carrying 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 for configuring computing environments dedicated to the execution of basic Artificial Intelligence algorithms applied to 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 all countries.
Textbook Information
- P. Kearey, F.J. Vine, Tettonica Globale, Zanichelli Ed.
- A. Cox, R.B. Brian Hart, La tettonica delle placche, meccanismi e modalità, Zanichelli Ed.
- E.A. Keller, N. Pinter, Active Tectonics - Earthquakes, Uplift, and Landskape, Pearson College Ed.
- Arnaldo M. Tonelli Complementi di Telerilevamento Luni Ed.
Educational material on the web site elearning.unict.it
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The context of plate tectonics. | A. Cox, R.B. Brian Hart, La tettonica delle placche, meccanismi e modalità, Zanichelli Ed. |
| 2 | Divergent, convergent and transform margins | P. Kearey, F.J. Vine, Tettonica Globale, Zanichelli Ed. |
| 3 | Plates in velocity space. | A. Cox, R.B. Brian Hart, La tettonica delle placche, meccanismi e modalità, Zanichelli Ed. |
| 4 | Active geological processes | E.A. Keller, N. Pinter, ActiveTectonics - Earthquakes, Uplift, andLandskape, Pearson College Ed. |
| 5 | Principles of geodesy; geodetic reference networks; geodetic techniques, applications, geodesy and plate motion | E.A. Keller, N. Pinter, ActiveTectonics - Earthquakes, Uplift, andLandskape, Pearson College Ed |
| 6 | Monitoring of active geological processes: Geodetic surveys using GNSS receivers, Total Station, SAR interferometry, and SAPR aerial photogrammetry | Arnaldo M. Tonelli Complementi di Telerilevamento Luni Ed. |
| 7 | Monitoring planning and execution, Direct measurements and error theory, Topographic surveys with Total Station, Geodetic surveys with GNSS and A-DInSAR techniques, Aerial photogrammetric survey 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 full acquisition 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 to summarize results, ability to explain the theoretical bases, the methodological approach and the results achieved 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 for apersonal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on their specificneeds and on teaching objectives of the discipline. It is also possible to ask the departmental contacts of CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or DSAs), in the person of professor Gabriele Lanzafame (https://www.dsbga.unict.it/docenti/gabriele.lanzafame)
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
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