VOLCANO-TECTONICS
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: GIORGIO DE GUIDIExpected Learning Outcomes
Upon passing the exam, the student will have achieved the following outcomes:
Knowledge and understanding: Geodynamic, tectonic, and crustal deformation processes, and understanding their relationship to the genesis of seismic and volcanic phenomena, through the interpretation of associated geophysical parameters.
Judgment and decision-making: Ability to make informed and motivated decisions when confronted with complex problems.
Communication skills: Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
Learning skills: Ability to independently consult databases, scientific literature, and regulatory references; ability to independently consult databases, scientific literature, and regulatory references; ability to integrate new knowledge into operational contexts.
Course Structure
42 hours (6 CFU) teacher-led discussion, accompained by field activity
If the teaching is given in mixed mode or telematic mode, the necessary variations can be introduced with respect to what was previously reported, in order to respect the program provided and reported in the syllabus.
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
The course combine results frackture mechanics, rock mechanics structural geology, and fluid transport in the crust to explore and explain fracture processes and the basic concepts of fluid dynamics. The topics covered were developed in relation to the basic principles of physics and are illustrated with numerous worked examples that link models of tectonics and volcanoes to actual observations and measurements in the field.
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
Rock Fractures in Geological Processes. Agust Gudmundsson Cambridge Univeristy Press
Volcanotectonics: Understanding the Structure, Deformation and Dynamics of Volcanoes. Agust Gudmundsson Cambridge Univeristy Press
Volcano-Tectonic Processes- Valerio Acocella - Springer Press
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Outline of the course: The topics enclosed are strictly related to volcanic environments, the application of the laws of structural geology and rock mechanics are discussed using the methodologies and experiences provided by the international scientific community that discussed the topics in experimentation and knowledge in the volcanic environment. | |
| 2 | What is a volcano ? What are the main types of volcano ? | 1. Volcanoes and Volcanic Activity - Volcano-Tectonic Processes- Valerio Acocella - Springer Press |
| 3 | Structural geology and Volcanic features | 2. Crustal Deformation - Volcano-Tectonic Processes- Valerio Acocella - Springer Press |
| 4 | Volcano-tectonics domains in the Mediterranean geodynamic contest | 10. Volcanoes and Plate Tectonics - Volcano-Tectonic Processes- Valerio Acocella - Springer Press |
| 5 | Geophysical information: Deformation of volcanoes, Earthquakes in the volcanoes | 8. Volcano Monitoring - Volcano-Tectonic Processes- Valerio Acocella - Springer Press |
| 6 | Igneous and volcanic Plumbing systems | 3.- 4. - The Rise of Magma Through the Crust - Magma Emplacement and Accumulation: from Sills to Magma Chambers - Volcano-Tectonic Processes- Valerio Acocella - Springer Press |
| 7 | THEORIES OF BRITTLE FAILLURE OF ROCKS, STRESS CONCENTRATION | 1. Rock Fractures in Geological Processes.Volcanotectonics: Understanding the Structure, Deformation and Dynamics of Volcanoes Agust Gudmundsson Cambridge Univeristy Press. |
| 8 | EXTENSION FRACTURES, SHEAR FRACTURES AND HYDROFRACTURES | 1. Rock Fractures in Geological Processes.Volcanotectonics: Understanding the Structure, Deformation and Dynamics of Volcanoes Agust Gudmundsson Cambridge Univeristy Press. |
| 9 | Reservoir and shallow Magma chamber | 3.- 4. - 7. -The Rise of Magma Through the Crust - Magma Emplacement and Accumulation: from Sills to Magma Chambers - Shallow Magma Transfer -Volcano-Tectonic Processes- Valerio Acocella - Springer Press |
| 10 | Hydrofracture: start and propagation | 1. Rock Fractures in Geological Processes.Volcanotectonics: Understanding the Structure, Deformation and Dynamics of Volcanoes Agust Gudmundsson Cambridge Univeristy Press. |
| 11 | Calderas | 5. - Calderas - Volcano-Tectonic Processes- Valerio Acocella - Springer Press |
| 12 | VOLCANO-TECTONICS IN THE ETNA VOLCANO DOMAIN | 6.8.1 - Mont Etna - Volcano-Tectonic Processes- Valerio Acocella - Springer Press |
| 13 | VOLCANO-TECTONICS IN THE CAMPI FLEGREI VOLCANO DOMAIN | Dispense fornite dal docente (The copy of teaching material will be provided by the teacher) |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Concept evaluation remains a fundamental tool so that to comprehend the origin of the obstacles faced by students while their learning of the concept of volcano-tectonics. Many verify methods can be used such as a questionnaire, an interview, observation, and other methods: In this course, we chose all of these as a evaluation tool. On the one hand, this choice is designed to have a more comprehensive view on students' conceptions, but also to give them the freedom to respond and choose elements they deem correct answers.
Exams can also be carried out by telematic mode, should the conditions require it.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Relation between regional tectonic and vocanism
What is the internal structure and composition of the Etna volcano substratum?
Giving a definition of different type of crust?
How are earthquakes distributed on different type volcano-tectonics domain? What is the reason ?
Stress concentration
What is the difference between extensional fractures and hidro fractures?
Criteria of mechanical deformation
What is the origin an development of a magma chamber ?
What is the relation between stresss and deformation associated with dikes and sheets ?