GEOLOGICAL-TECHNICAL MAPPING

The course aims to develop students’ knowledge and operative skills needed to:

•        Understand the methods and acquire the ability to conduct geological-technical surveys
•          Understand the methods and acquire the ability to interpret and integrate surface and subsurface data for the preparation of geological profiles;
•          Acquire skills in the accurate graphical representation of geological data and its archiving in GIS systems.

The course contributes to strengthening knowledge and understanding of:

•          the principles of geological surveying and thematic mapping as tools for the observation, description, and representation of geological systems based on field data;
•          environmental systems, georesources, and geological heritage in relation to sustainability and interactions with human activities;
•           the fundamentals of advanced cartographic representation and geological modeling at various scales, and the main digital tools used for the processing, integration, and visualization of geological data

The course develops students’ ability to apply their knowledge and understanding in the following areas:

• the application of stratigraphic and structural survey and analysis techniques to reconstruct geological evolution;the use of stratigraphic, sedimentological, and structural data to reconstruct three-dimensional geological models of the subsurface and produce thematic maps;
• the integration of various types of geological data—structural, stratigraphic, petrographic, and hydrogeological—to produce interpretive models of the geological and hydrogeological framework at different spatial and temporal scales within the context of the Earth System;
• the translation of geological knowledge into operational assessments to support sustainable land management and the enhancement of georesources and geological heritage.

The final evaluation will take into account the degree of achievement in the following areas:

• autonomy in the ability to plan, based on cartographic data, complex interventions and plans in the territory, including those aimed at assessing natural hazards;
•  communication skills, demonstrated through the preparation of a report detailing the activities carried out;
• the ability to independently consult databases, scientific literature, and regulatory references to enhance learning.

The course includes 21 hours of classroom instruction dedicated to planning fieldwork, designing a GIS database, reviewing surveying techniques to be applied for the creation of a geological-technical map, defining the survey objectives, and determining the legend to be used.

Criteria for the use and interpretation of any available subsurface data

The course is rounded out with 3 credits, for a total of 36 hours, of field surveying, involving 6 weekly field trips to the survey area (agreed upon with the students based on their prior experience).

The survey area will be appropriately selected in the vicinity of an urban area with the aim of reconstructing its geological subsurface model at a scale suitable for practical applications (> 1:10,000), integrating the original surface surveys with the interpretation of available subsurface data.

Information for Students with Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disabilities

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with applicable laws, interested students may request a personal interview to plan any compensatory and/or accommodative measures, based on the educational objectives and specific needs.

You may also contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration – Services for Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disabilities) liaison professor in our Department, Prof. Gabriele Lanzafame.

Knowledge and skills acquired in a bachelor degree covering:

the major geological processes on a global scale, their rates, and their long-term effects on the Earth’s surface, typically acquired in courses in physical geology or physical geography

the principles governing the analysis and description of stratigraphic sequences, typically acquired in courses in stratigraphic geology

the basic rules of stratimetry and the interpretation of geological maps, typically covered in geology courses

basic field surveying experience, acquired through attendance at basic geological surveying courses or fieldwork

knowledge of the criteria for analyzing and classifying rocks, typically acquired in petrography courses

basic knowledge of the identification and classification of various forms of landslides and surface formations, typically acquired in applied geology courses

basic skills in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and in the archiving and management of georeferenced data, typically acquired in introductory computer science and GIS courses

The course consists of practical activities aiming at:

• collecting and interpreting previous data and studies for the compilation of the legend to adopt
• selection of technics to employ in realizing the geological survey
• basics on the use of QGis to store field data 
• geological field mapping 
• drawing of geological cross-section
• realizing and implementing QGis project  

1. RICHARD J. LISLE - Structures and Maps (a pratical guide), Elsevier

The exam consists of a dissertation on a GIS project containing:

a database of geological data collected by the student during fieldwork;

the original 1:10,000-scale geological-engineering map of the study area (generally 10 km²);

links to geological-engineering profiles and any other diagrams produced

During the discussion, the theoretical aspects applied in conducting the geological-technical surveys will be explored in depth, as well as the criteria for interpreting the subsurface data used to reconstruct the 2D geological model depicted in the geological profiles.

Result and corresponding grade:

Barely Passing to Passing: Knowledge not supported by a satisfactory understanding of the topics (18–19)

Fair: Knowledge and understanding of the topics not supported by adequate application skills (20–24)

Good: Knowledge and understanding of the topics, supported by adequate application skills and the ability to present ideas (25–27)

Very good: extensive knowledge and understanding of the topics, supported by excellent ability to apply and explain them (28–29)

Excellent: thorough knowledge and understanding of the topics, supported by remarkable ability to apply and explain them (30)

with possible mention of honors in cases of particular distinction

Criteria for distinguishing geological-technical units

The geometries of geological boundaries on maps, their 3D geometries, and their significance

The geometries depicted in cross-sections and their representation on maps and in subsurface data