PALEOSISMOLOGIA E TETTONICA ATTIVA

Degree course: 
Corso di Second cycle degree in ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Academic year when starting the degree: 
2020/2021
Year: 
1
Academic year in which the course will be held: 
2020/2021
Course type: 
Compulsory subjects, characteristic of the class
Credits: 
6
Period: 
Second semester
Standard lectures hours: 
48
Detail of lecture’s hours: 
Lesson (48 hours)
Requirements: 

A base of knowledge in geomorphology, geology and statistics are suggested. No mandatory propaedeutics are required.

Final Examination: 
Orale

The exams will evaluate the degree of completion of the expected course outcomes: the knowledge of the theoretical background will be evaluated and the application of knowledge to real case studies will be evaluated.
The exam consists of a written test and of an oral examination as well. The written test is composed by 3 open-ended questions (the test is 2 hours long), evaluated for 10 points each one (for a maximum of 30/30 pts). During the oral examination a possible case study will be proposed to the student for a discussion and the examination will be rated for a maximum of 30/30 pts. The final mark will result from the average of both the oral and written tests.
The mark will be evaluated for answers completness, level of detail and ability to connect the different topics. Lode will be assigned for students whose evaluation is more than excellent.

Assessment: 
Voto Finale

Teaching objectives
This course will offer the students the base of knowledge and skills necessary for the palaeoseismological data analysis and assessment of tectonic activity of a region. These topics will be specifically addressed to the seismic hazard assessment.

Expected outcomes
At the term of the course, the student will possess a base of knowledge for the evaluation of the seismotectonic potential of a region, through the analysis of active faults. The main topics of the course are the following:

- Geodynamics and crustal deformation
- Tectonic and volcano-tectonic environments
- Active tectonics and tectonic geomorphology
- Characterization of a seismogenetic source
- Paleoseismology
- Probabilistic fault displacement hazard models.

At the term of the course the student will be able to:

- correctly frame the seismic hazard exposure for a site, with a top-down approach, taking into account the geological and rheological constraints to the seismotectonic potential of a region;
- interpret morphotectonic features through the analysis of satellite images, aerial photographs, DTMs;
- evaluate the geologic/geomorphologic slip rates of a fault;
- apply a paleoseismological approach to recosntruct slip rates, slip per event and recurrence interval;
- comprehend the probabilistic approach to seismic hazard assessment and to fault displacement hazard.

The student will improve his soft skills as well, including the communication of topics, results and methods of research, a critical analysis of data accuracy and reliability, independent judgement and ability to slipt down complex problems into simpler parts. The student will improve also his technical and scientific language and will be able to understand the jargon of paleoseismology and earthquake geology.

We will discuss the characterization of active tectonics through the analysis of active faults, with a top-down approach, following the rationale of the siting studies for high-risk plant (e.g., nuclear power plants –IAEA SSG-9 e 21 guide).
We will cover all types of tectonic and volcano-tectonic environments on earth, discussing well-known case studies in literature.

Course outline:

- Introduction to active tectonics (4 hrs)
- Eathquakes and crustal deformation (4 hrs)
- Tectonic environments and tectonic geomorphology (12 hrs)
- Characterization of a seismogenetic source: empirical relations and seismogenesis (4 hrs)
- Paleoseismology (18 hrs)
- Probabilistic models for seismic hazard assessment and fault displacement hazard (6 hrs).

McCalpin, J. P. (Ed.). (2009). Paleoseismology. Academic press. (prima o seconda edizione – acquisto non obbligatorio ma disponibile in biblioteca universitaria).

The course’s slides and other additional papers will be made available on the e-learning web platform

The curse is composed by frontal lessonsfor a total of 48 hours.
During the course, exercises will be proposed to the students, to test practical applications of the arguments and methods studied. Exercises will be assigned through the e-learning online platform. Exercises will be corrected and evaluated but results will not be considered during the exam evaluation. These exercises are only aimed at student’s self-assessment.
At the beginning of each lecture, additional explanation on the topic treated previously will be given, on the students’ request.

Professors