Eugenio Fazio

University of Catania Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BIOMLG) Corso Italia 57 Catania, CT 95129 Italy

efazio@unict.it Phone: +39 095 7195752 Mobile: +39 347 3062704 Fax: +39 095 7195760 Website: http://www.dipbiogeo.unict.it/ docenti/eugenio.fazio

Eugenio Fazio, PhD

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eugenio_Fazio

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1802-8207

Scopus Author ID:35555899600

 

Biography

Born in Catania on 1976, married, three children, graduated in Geology at the University of Catania in 2001 (summa cum laude), associate professor from 2021 and researcher from 2011 at the same university, where in 2005 he received the Ph.D. in Petrology & Petrography. Since 2006 he conducts scientific investigations about metamorphic petrology, structural geology, petrophysics, microtectonics, field survey of crystalline terrains, GIS. In parallel he conducted petrophysical laboratory tests on rocks to explore correlations between fabrics and seismic anisotropies. He spent abroad periods of study, consolidating international scientific collaborations with various research groups (Aberdeen, Basel, Berkeley, Clausthal, Kharagpur, Kiel, Liverpool, Stuttgart, Turin) for the study of metamorphic complexes. He was member of various research groups participating to different national research projects since 2007 (PRIN and FIR). He has participated in numerous courses and seminars and conferences dealing with the techniques of image analysis and microstructures of naturally deformed rocks. Since 2005 he lectured several courses at the University of Catania and holds a course about Optical Mineralogy in the Master of Science in Geology. Current research is aimed at quantifying microstructures (e.g., lattice preferred orientations of minerals, LPO), strain rates of crustal scale shear zones, and petrophysical characteristics of naturally deformed rocks.

 

Education

Sep 2002 – Dec 2004	Università degli Studi di Catania Ph.D., Petrography and Petrology, Catania, Italy
Apr 2001 – Apr 2001	Università degli Studi di Catania Laurea in Scienze Geologiche, Metamorphic Geology, Catania, Italy

Research and Scientific Meeting Organization Experience

March 2022 – Jul 2022

Organization Committee of DRT 2022 international congress "Geo-thinking the future planet" University of Catania, Italy

Apr 2018 – Sep 2018

Organization Committee of SGI-SIMP national congress "Geosciences for the environment, natural hazard and cultural heritage" University of Catania, Italy

Dec 2011 – present	Researcher University of Catania, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BIOMLG) Catania, Italy
Apr 2007 – Aug 2008	PRIN 2007 - Strain partitioning within natural crustal-scale shear zone Università degli Studi di Catania, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BIOMLG) Catania, Italy

 

Funded Research Projects (last update November 2018)

Fondo per il finanziamento delle attività base di ricerca” FFABR annualità 2017 - MIUR

2017

FIR Attività di  Ricerca di Base UniCT	2017
Piano Triennale della Ricerca Dipartimentale	2018
Micorstrutture e assi c del quarzo	2015

 

Statistics (last update November 2018)

Researchgate Score	21.09	h-index (Scopus)	10
Publications	46	Publications	26
Reads	4,173	Co-authors	38
Citations	266	Citations	250

 

Awards & Grants

Sep 2018	Award: Premio "Secondo Franchi" - Società Geologica Italiana
Dec 2005	Grant: Assegnista di ricerca at Università di Catania

Skills & Activities

Skills	Metamorphic Petrology, Structural Geology, Microstructures, Microscopic Techniques, Petrophysics, Geological Mapping, Geographic Information System, Mineralogy, Rock rheology, UAVs (Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles) & LiDAR survey.
Languages	English, Italian
Scientific Memberships	• 2006 - 2009: MSA (Mineralogical Society of America) • 2006 - : GIGS (Gruppo Informale di Geologia Strutturale) • 2006 - :SIMP (Società Italiana di Mineralogia e Petrologia) • 2014 - : GNP (Gruppo Nazionale Petrografia) • 2014 - : EGU (European Geoscience Union) • 2015 - : SGI (Società Geologica Italiana)
Interests	Volley, snorkeling, trekking, photography, equal opportunity

Publication Highlights

Fazio E, Cirrincione R, Pezzino A: Tectono-metamorphic map of the south-western flank of the Aspromonte Massif (southern Calabria -Italy). Journal of Maps 10/2014; 11(1)., DOI:10.1080/17445647.2014.962634

Fazio E., R. Cirrincione, A. Pezzino: Estimating P–T conditions of Alpine-type metamorphism using multistage garnet in the tectonic windows of the Cardeto area (southern Aspromonte Massif, Calabria). Mineralogy and Petrology 05/2008; 93(1):111-142., DOI:10.1007/s00710-007-0216-2

Fazio E, Punturo R, Cirrincione R: Quartz c-axis Texture Mapping of Mylonitic Metapelite with Rod Structures (Calabria, southern Italy): Clues for Hidden Shear Flow Direction. Journal of the Geological Society of India 02/2010; 75(1):171-182., DOI:10.1007/s12594-010-0006-z

Book Chapters

Fazio E: Recognition of Structures in Mid-crustal Shear Zones and How to Discern Between Them. Problems and Solutions in Structural Geology and Tectonics, Volume 5, 1st Edition, 10/2018: pages 350; Elsevier., ISBN: 9780128140482

Cirrincione R, Fazio E, Heilbronner R, Kern H, Mengel K, Ortolano G, Pezzino A, Punturo R: Microstructure and elastic anisotropy of naturally deformed leucogneiss from a shear zone in Montalto (southern Calabria, Italy). Advances in Interpretation of Geological Processes: Refinement of Multiscale data and Integration in Numerical Modeling, Edited by M.I. Spalla, A.M. Marotta, G. Gosso, 04/2010: pages 49-68; Geological Society Special Publication 332., DOI:10.1144/SP332.4

Journal Publications

Gambino S, Fazio E, Maniscalco R, Punturo R., Lanzafame G, Barreca G, Butler R.W.H.: Fold-related deformation bands in a weakly buried sandstone reservoir analogue: A multi-disciplinary case study from the Numidian (Miocene) of Sicily (Italy). Journal of Structural Geology 10/2018; 113., DOI: 10.1016/j.jsg.2018.10.005

Punturo R., Cirrincione R, Pappalardo G, Mineo S, Fazio E, Bloise A.: Preliminary laboratory characterization of serpentinite rocks from Calabria (southern Italy) employed as stone material. Journal of Mediterranean Earth Sciences 10/2018; 10(2018):79-87., DOI:10.3304/JMES.2018.017

Fazio E, Ortolano G, Visalli R, Cirrincione R, Fiannacca P, Kern H, Mengel K, Pezzino A, Punturo R: Strain rates of the syn-tectonic Symvolon pluton (Southern Rhodope Core Complex, Greece): An integrated approach combining quartz paleopiezometry, flow laws and PT pseudosections. Italian Journal of Geosciences 03/2018; 137(2)., DOI:10.3301/IJG.2018.10

Fazio E., Ortolano G., Visalli R., Alsop I., Cirrincione R., Pezzino A.: Strain localization and sheath fold development during progressive deformation in a ductile shear zone: A case study of macro-to micro-scale structures from the Aspromonte Massif, Calabria. Italian Journal of Geosciences 03/2018; 137(2)., DOI:10.3301/IJG.2018.09

Cirrincione R, Monaco C, Ortolano G, Ferranti L, Barreca G, Fazio E, Pezzino A, Visalli R: From ductile to brittle tectonic evolution of the Aspromonte Massif. DOI:10.3301/GFT.2017.03

Punturo R, Mamtani MA., Fazio E, Occhipinti R, Renjith AR., Cirrincione R: Seismic and magnetic susceptibility anisotropy of middle-lower continental crust: Insights for their potential relationship from a study of intrusive rocks from the Serre Massif (Calabria, southern Italy). Tectonophysics 06/2017; 712., DOI: 10.1016/j.tecto.2017.06.020

Fazio E., Ortolano G., Cirrincione R.: Eye-type folds at the Palmi shear zone (Calabria, Italy). International Journal of Earth Sciences 04/2017; DOI:10.1007/s00531-017-1466-9

Fazio E, Punturo R, Cirrincione R, Kern H, Pezzino A, Wenk HR, Goswami S, Mamtani MA.: Quartz preferred orientation in naturally deformed mylonitic rocks (Montalto shear zone–Italy): a comparison of results by different techniques, their advantages and limitations. International Journal of Earth Sciences 12/2016; DOI:10.1007/s00531-016-1424-y

Fazio E, Fiannacca P, Ortolano G, Punturo R, Zanoni D, Zucali M: Preface Special Issue " Progresses in deciphering structures and compositions of basement rocks ". Periodico di Mineralogia 12/2015; 84(3B).

Cirrincione R, Fazio E, Fiannacca P, Ortolano G, Pezzino A, Punturo R: The Calabria-Peloritani Orogen, a composite terrane in Central Mediterranean; Its overall architecture and geodynamic significance for a pre-Alpine scenario around the Tethyan basin. Periodico di Mineralogia 12/2015; 84(3B):701-749., DOI:10.2451/2015PM0446

Fazio E., Ortolano G., Cirrincione R., Pezzino A., Visalli R.: Polyphase evolution of a crustal-scale shear zone during progressive exhumation from ductile to brittle behaviour: a case study from Calabria, Italy. Solid Earth Discussions 03/2015; 7(1):909-955., DOI:10.5194/sed-7-909-2015

Punturo R., Bloise A., Critelli T., Catalano M., Fazio E., Apollaro C.: Environmental Implications Related to Natural Asbestos Occurrences in the Ophiolites of the Gimigliano-Mount Reventino Unit (Calabria, Southern Italy). International Journal of Environmental Research 01/2015; 9(2):405-776.

Punturo R, Cirrincione R, Fazio E, Fiannacca P, Kern H, Mengel K, Ortolano G, Pezzino A: Microstructural, compositional and petrophysical properties of mylonitic granodiorites from an extensional shear zone (Rhodope Core complex, Greece). Geological Magazine 11/2014; 151(6)., DOI:10.1017/S001675681300109X

Fazio E, Cirrincione R, Pezzino A: Tectono-metamorphic map of the south-western flank of the Aspromonte Massif (southern Calabria -Italy). Journal of Maps 10/2014; 11(1)., DOI:10.1080/17445647.2014.962634

Fazio E., R. Punturo, R. Cirrincione, G. Ortolano, A. Pezzino: Quantitative microstructures of polycrystalline quartz aggregates in a mylonite: Implication for strain-rate evaluation. Rendiconti Online Societa Geologica Italiana 10/2013; 29:47-50.

Cirrincione R, Fazio E, Fiannacca P, Ortolano G, Pezzino A, Punturo R, Romano V, Sacco V: The Alpine evolution of the Aspromonte Massif: constraints for geodynamic reconstruction of the Calabria-Peloritani Orogen. 2013. DOI:10.3301/GFT.2013.01

Cirrincione R., Fazio E., Ortolano G., Pezzino A, Punturo R.: Fault-related rocks: Deciphering the structural-metamorphic evolution of an accretionary wedge in a collisional belt, NE Sicily. International Geology Review 06/2012; 54(8-8):940-956., DOI:10.1080/00206814.2011.623022

Pezzino A, Angì G, Fazio E, Fiannacca P, Lo Giudice A, Ortolano G, Punturo R, Cirrincione R, De Vuono E: Alpine Metamorphism in the Aspromonte Massif: Implications for a New Framework for the Southern Sector of the Calabria-Peloritani Orogen, Italy. International Geology Review 08/2010; May 2008(5-Vol. 50):423-441., DOI:10.2747/0020-6814.50.5.423

Fazio Eugenio, Punturo Rosalda, Cirrincione Rosolino: Quartz c-axis Texture Mapping of Mylonitic Metapelite with Rod Structures (Calabria, southern Italy): Clues for Hidden Shear Flow Direction. Journal of the Geological Society of India 02/2010; 75(1):171-182., DOI:10.1007/s12594-010-0006-z

Angì Gerolamo, Cirrincione Rosolino, Fazio Eugenio, Fiannacca Patrizia, Ortolano Gaetano, Pezzino Antonino: Metamorphic evolution of preserved Hercynian crustal section in the Serre Massif (Calabria–Peloritani Orogen, southern Italy). Lithos 01/2010; 2010(115):237-262., DOI: 10.1016/j.lithos.2009.12.008

Cirrincione R., De Vuono E., Fazio E., Fiannacca P., Ortolano G., Pezzino A., Punturo R.: The composite framework of the southern sector of the Calabria Peloritani Orogen. Rendiconti Online Societa Geologica Italiana 01/2010; 11(1):93-94.

Cirrincione Rosolino, Fazio Eugenio, Fiannacca Patrizia, Ortolano Gaetano, Punturo Rosalda: Microstructural Investigation of Naturally Deformed Leucogneiss from an Alpine Shear Zone (Southern Calabria-Italy). Pure and Applied Geophysics 07/2009; 166(5):995-1010., DOI:10.1007/978-3-0346-0122-1_12

Fazio Eugenio, Cirrincione Rosolino, Pezzino Antonino: Garnet crystal growth in sheared metapelites (southern Calabria-Italy): Relationships between isolated porphyroblasts and coalescing euhedral crystals. Periodico di Mineralogia 04/2009; 78(1)., DOI:10.2451/2009PM0001

Cirrincione R., Fazio E., Fiannacca P., Ortolano G., Pezzino A., Punturo R.: Petrological and microstructural constraints for orogenetic exhumation modelling of HP rocks: the example of Southern Calabria Peloritani Orogen (Western Mediterranean). Bollettino di Geofisica Teorica ed Applicata 09/2008; 49(2):141-146.

Angì G, Cirrincione R, Fazio E, Ortolano G, Pezzino A, Punturo R: Garnet growth in natural high-pressure regime: A key tool in unravelling the pressure-temperature path of rocks involved in mountain belt orogeny. Journal of Physics Conference Series 07/2008; 121(2):022002., DOI:10.1088/1742-6596/121/2/022002

Fazio E., Cirrincione R., Pezzino A.: Estimating P–T conditions of Alpine-type metamorphism using multistage garnet in the tectonic windows of the Cardeto area (southern Aspromonte Massif, Calabria). Mineralogy and Petrology 05/2008; 93(1):111-142., DOI:10.1007/s00710-007-0216-2

Fazio E, Heilbronner R, Punturo R: Microstructural study and petrophysical characterization of naturally deformed leuco-gneisses from the Montalto shear zone (Aspromonte Massif, southern Italy). Rendiconti Societa Geologica Italiana. 2007.

 

Conference Proceedings

Fazio Eugenio, R. Punturo, Giovanni Barreca, Salvatore Gambino, Rosanna Maniscalco, R. W. H. Butler: Deformation bands in Numidian sandstones of Sicily: a petrographic-structural study. DRT 17 - Deformation Mechanisms, Rheology and Tectonics, Inverness (Scotland, UK); 05/2017

Catalano S., Cirrincione R., Fazio E., Ortolano G., Pezzino A., Romagnoli G., Tortorici G.: Paleogene collision tectonics in the Peloritani Mountains: geological and petrographical constraints. GIGS 2015, Catania; 09/2015

Fazio E., Fiannacca P., Ortolano G., Cirrincione R., Punturo R., Mamtani M.: Integrating field, microstructural and AMS data to determine the time relationship between granite emplacement and regional deformation: an example from Calabria (Italy). Rock Deformation & Structures Conference: RDS-III-2014, Dibrugarh University, Assam, India; 10/2014, DOI:10.13140/2.1.3399.4568

Punturo R, Bloise A, Critelli T, Catalano M, Fazio E, Apollaro C: Occurrence of natural asbestos in the historical quarries where “greenstones” are exploited: the example of the Gimigliano-Mount Reventino Unit ophiolite terranes (Calabria, Southern Italy). SIMP, Milano; 01/2014

Punturo R., Cirrincione R., Fazio E., Fiannacca P., Kern H., Mengel K., Ortolano G., Pezzino A.: Quartz deformation mechanisms in shear zones inferred by quantitative microstructural investigation: the case study of Kavala (Rhodope Massif, north-eastern Greece). 86° Congresso Nazionale della Società Geologica Italiana, Arcavacata di Rende (CS); 09/2012, DOI:10.13140/2.1.2973.4723

Cirrincione R., Fazio E., Fiannacca P., Ortolano G., Pezzino A., Punturo R.: Quartz annealing microstructures in sheared rocks from the Serre Massif (Calabria, Italy). 86° Congresso Nazionale della Società Geologica Italiana, Arcavacata di Rende (CS); 09/2012, DOI:10.13140/2.1.4284.1927

Pezzino Antonino, De Francesco Anna Maria, Montana Giuseppe, Azzaro Ettore M., Belfiore Cristina M., Fazio Eugenio, La Russa Mauro F., Polito Anna Maria, Punturo Rosalda, Randazzo Luciana: Innovative experimental approaches applied to the study of ceramics from underwater archaeological excavations. Società Geologica Italiana; 09/2012

Punturo R., Cirrincione R., Fazio E., Fiannacca P., Ortolano G., Kern H., Mengel K., Pezzino A.: Deformation-induced changes of mineralogy, chemistry, microstructure and physical properties in mylonitic rocks from the Kavala shear zone. 14th Experimental Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry Conference, Kiel (Germany); 03/2012, DOI:10.13140/2.1.2776.8647

 

 

VISUALIZZA LE PUBBLICAZIONI

Research Opportunities

visit our website at https://www.meigepeg.it

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

Why shear-zones and associated mylonites are very important markers of paleo-tectonics setting? What fault related-rocks (cataclasites, pseudotachylytes) record in terms of paleo-seismicity? What microstructures can tell us about the whole P-T-D-t evolution of a tectono-metamorphic unit? What can metamorphic petrology tell us about the growth and unroofing of mountain belts? What happens when a rock is deformed at different temperatures, pressures, strain rates (wet or dry conditions)? Are paleopiezometry laws for quartz valid, or is rock rheology also controlled by other kinetic factors?

If you are interested in these sorts of problems, read on. Our Department has the facilities and expertise for a wide range of petrological and tectonic research. Visit my students page to see what my current students are doing, and what past students have done. Projects range from field-based to lab-based, and all gradations between. Many involve co-supervision with other members of the Department here at University of Catania, and with other organizations and institutions, including the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Turin (Italy), the Elettra-Sincrotrone (Trieste, Italy), the School of Geosciences at the University of Aberdeen (Scotland, UK), and the Indian Institute of Technology of Kharagpur (West Bengal, India).

 

1.Requirements

A good background in some or all of petrography, metamorphic petrology and physical chemistry applied to rocks. For field-based research, a good background in structural geology and field work. Above all, must have a real interest in petrology and structural geology, and a desire to pose questions and solve problems independently. Candidates should also have a valid driver's license. In addition to producing a thesis, students will be expected to present their work orally/in poster form at relevant workshops and meetings during their program, and also try to submit one (MSc) manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal upon graduation. Students may also be asked to contribute to applications for travel support. If sending an enquiry, please attach a CV, summary of your academic record (courses and grades). Any examples of work you have done (e.g., reports, papers, abstracts of theses/talks/papers) would be welcome. Please also provide a brief explanation of your background and what kind of research you wish to pursue.

 

2.Projects

I have a range of possible research projects for MSc and BSc students, some examples of which are listed below. These are divided into three main groups: Microstructures and petrophysical properties of rocks; Metamorphic petrology; Metamorphism and tectonics. The projects range from field-based to lab-based, and gradations between. I am willing to supervise research problems that students bring to me, provided they have a petrological/structural geology component.

 

1. MICROSTRUCTURES AND PETROPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ROCKS

Relationships between rock fabric and petrophysics

• The role of deformation bands in sandstones as analogues for oil/fluids reservoirs (Sicily). Microfabric analysis, microtomography, and porosimetry lab tests.

Quantitative microstructures

• Grain shape analysis and lattice preferred orientation of minerals of mylonites (Palmi, Calabria)
• Quartz CPO (Crystallographic Preferred Orientation), SPO (Shape Preferred Orientation) and paleopiezometry investigation (various locations).

 

2. METAMORPHIC PETROLOGY

Metamorphic reaction processes

• Genesis and significance of tourmaline veins within high grade crystalline rocks (Peloritani Mountains, NE Sicily).
• Conditions, timing and significance of metamorphic porphyroblasts (andalusite, staurolite, sillimanite) in metapelites (Aspromonte Massif, Southern Calabria)
• Genesis of complex oscillatory zoning in garnets from low- to medium grade metapelites (Aspromonte Massif, Southern Calabria).

Contact metamorphism and relation to tectonics

• The emplacement level of Variscan in age granitoids: intrusions of M.te Embrisi (Aspromonte Massif) and Serre Batholith (Serre Massif) from study of their contact aureoles (Calabria)

Petrology of metapelites

• Phase diagram modelling and multiequilibrium/multispecies thermobarometry applied to metapelites (various locations).

 

3. METAMORPHISM AND TECTONICS

Regional metamorphism and tectonics in the southern Calabrian Peloritani Orogen (Sicily and Calabria)

• 1. Petrological and structural characterization of the metamorphism in the Aspromonte Massif (Calabria) and Peloritani Mountains (Sicily).
• 2. Regional study of the emplacement level of Late Variscan intrusions in the Serre Batholith and minor plutonic bodies (various locations). 
• 3. Palmi Shear Zone: kinematic complexity and shear sense indicators.

Paleo seismicity in the rock record

• 1. Microstructural analyses (optical microscopy, image analysis techniques, microtomography) and neutron diffraction study of mylonites and pseudotachylytes (various locations).

3.Students

 

MSc students (five years master degree) Gambino S (co-tutor Prof Maniscalco R.) - Academic Year 2017/2018 Ruta E (co-tutor Prof Punturo R) - Academic Year 2013/2014 Fallone D (co-tutor Prof Fiannacca P.) - Academic Year 2012/2013 Quattrocchi A (co-tutor Prof Cirrincione R.-UniCal) - Academic Year 2012/2013 Patanè F (co-tutor Prof Pezzino A.) - Academic Year 2011/2012 Sapuppo A (co-tutor Prof Pezzino A.) - Academic Year 2010/2011 Orlando D (co-tutor Prof Cirrincione R.-UniCal) - Academic Year 2009/2010 Scidone D (co-tutor Prof Cirrincione R.-UniCal) - Academic Year 2008/2009 Artusa G (co-tutor Prof Cirrincione R.-UniCal) - Academic Year 2007/2008

 

 

BSc students (three years bachelor degree) Giuffrida S (co-tutor Prof Fiannacca P.) - Academic Year 2017/2018 Bosco G - Academic Year 2015/2016 Gambino S (co-tutor Prof Cirrincione R.) - Academic Year 2014/2015 Gagliano A (co-tutor Prof Ortolano G.) - Academic Year 2013/2014

 

Guida alle tesi di laurea

Gli studenti interessati a sviluppare uno dei temi di ricerca trattati (vedi pagine 'Attività di Ricerca') possono rivolgersi al docente tramite i recapiti sul sito web dipartimentale per concordare gli argomenti di tesi di laurea.