Degree Study Track in Earth Dynamics

Period: first semester

Course unit contents:

Basic concepts of rock deformation
1) Stress
2) Strain
3) Rheology
4) Brittle failure
5) Lattice defects and crystal-plastic deformation
6) Fault rocks s.l.
7) Rheological stratification of the lithosphere

Structure of the Earth’s interior

1) Sources of information (seismic waves; mountain chains; meteorites; inclusions in magmatic rocks and diamonds; laboratory experiments; computational modelling)
2) Principal discontinuities/layers in the Earth (crust, mantle, core)

Plate tectonics

1) Sources of information (Earth topography; volcanism and seismicity distribution; composition; plate movement (GPS); age and magnetism of oceanic rocks)
2) Mosaic of the main plates and types of boundaries

• Divergent margins 1 (MOR)

1) Fast- and low-speading MOR
2) MOR magmatism
3) Oceanic metamorphism and serpentinization. Metasomatism.
4) MOR seismicity
5) “oceanic” sediments
6) Mineralogy: Serpentine(s)

• Divergent margins 2 (Rifts)

1) Rift structure and evolution with time
2) Continental margins
3) Large scale lithospheric extension. Symmetry/Asymmetry
4) Alkaline magmatism in rifts
5) HT/LP metamorphism and crustal anatexis in rifting crust
6) S-type granites.
7) Mineralogy: Polymorphism and the Al2SiO5 system. Carbon and graphitization as a geothermometer.

• Convergent margins 1 (subduction zones and Arcs)

1) Driving forces of subduction
2) The subduction factory: lithological and thermal structure
a. Seismicity
▪ Intermediate earthquakes (double layer)
▪ Seismic tremors and slow earthquakes
▪ The subducting slab
▪ The mantle wedge
▪ The magmatic arc
▪ The accretionary wedge
3) Metamorphism and magmatism in the subduction zone
▪ HP/LT metamorphism of mafic rocks and metasediments
▪ Devolatilization, densification
▪ Mantle metasomatism and melting
▪ Calc-alkaline magmatism and MASH processes
▪ Arc magmatism and volcanism
▪ Making new continental crust
4) H2O budget in a subduction zone
5) Mineralogy: Pressure and density in minerals.
6) Mineralogy: Amphibole throughout subduction zones
7) Mineralogy: NAMS

• Convergent margins 2 (Collision and Orogenic Belts)

1) Collisional belts
2) P-T-t-d paths in the Subduction and Exhumation of HP rocks
3) Deformation/crystallization relationships
4) Strain partitioning from the chain scale to the thin section
5) The small t: petrochronology
6) Clockwise paths of orogenic belts
7) Orogenic magmatism and leucogranites
8) Mineralogy: geobarometry with inclusion-host systems
9) Mineralogy: “extra” components and thermobarometry (Mn in Grt, Ti in Bt
10) Alpine orogenic chain

• Transcurrent margins

• Intraplate settings
11) Oceanic
▪ Hot spots and OIB
▪ How deep in the mantle?
12) Continental
▪ Continental Flood Basalts
▪ Kimberlites

Planned learning activities and teaching methods: Theoretical notions will be transferred by means of frontal lessons with multimedia material that will be provided beforehand to students.

Laboratories will consist of a) practicals assisted by the teacher at the petrographic microscope, using selected thin sections; b) introduction to departmental analytical facilities.

Both frontal lessons and practicals include parts of teacher-student dialogue as well as of work in small groups with the aim of testing the knowledge imparted.