The course aims to provide knowledge of the processes that lead to the formation and transformation of the different rocks found on the Earth's surface (magmatic, metamorphic and sedimentary). The course also aims to provide the tools for the macroscopic recognition of the main lithologies produced by these processes through the identification of their main compositional, structural and textural characteristics. Knowledge and understanding: by the end of the course, the student will be able to recognise the main lithologies present on Earth and place them in the correct lithogenetic processes. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: In laboratory and field activities, students will be able to recognise the main lithologies that characterise the Earth. Autonomy of judgement: the student will be able, on the basis of the knowledge acquired in classroom and then verified with laboratory and field activities, to recognise, arguing, the lithogenetic processes and the main lithologies present on Earth. Communication skills: lectures, workshops and field activities are organised to develop interaction between students and improve scientific terminology. Ability to learn: The ability to learn is stimulated by deepening the knowledge acquired during lectures, in laboratory and field activities where students can test and apply what they have learnt in the classroom.

Prerequisites are not necessary

Composition and internal structure of the Earth. General overview of Seismology: earthquakes and the propagation of seismic waves through the Earth; Richter magnitude scale and Mercalli intensity scale; main types of faults. The rock cycle. More frequent minerals and rocks on the surficial Earth. Lithogenic process. Igneous processes (overview) and main rocks. Metamorphic processes (overview) and main rocks. Sedimentary processes: characteristics, origins, classifications, diagenesis. Sedimentation environments. Sampling sedimentary materials: instruments and laboratory analyses. Terrigenous sediments and rocks. Carbonate sediments and rocks. Siliceous rocks, evaporitic rocks, organic sediments.

Capire la Terra (Zanichelli) – J.P.Grotzinger & T.H.Jordan (BIB TEC SC)
Sedimentology and Stratigraphy - G.Nichols
Sedimentology - M.R.Leeder
Rocce e successioni sedimentarie - A.Bosellini, E.Mutti, F.Ricci Lucchi
Minerali e Rocce - AAVV (A.Mondadori editore)
Geologia del sedimentario: rocce,
strutture sedimentarie, ambienti deposizionali - E.Tucker (BIB TEC SC)

First part: Earth formation, evolution and system. The rock cycle. Minerals and rocks more frequent on the surficial Earth. Composition and internal structure of the Earth: compositional and rheological partition. General overview of Seismology: earthquakes and the propagation of seismic waves through the Earth; Richter magnitude scale and Mercalli intensity scale; faults. Lithogenetic process. Igneous processes (overview) and main rocks. Metamorphic processes (overview) and main rocks. Sedimentary processes: characteristics, origins, classifications, diagenesis. Sedimentation environments. The sampling of sedimentary materials: instruments and laboratory analyses. Terrigenous sediments and rocks. Carbonate sediments and rocks. Siliceous rocks, evaporitic rocks, organic sediments. Second part: theoretical lessons and practical experiences are planned. The theoretical part is focused on the processes and environment of the magmatic, metamorphic and sedimentary rock formations, their transformations. The practice consists mainly of macroscopic recognition of the most common igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Different methods of sampling and analyses of sediments and sedimentary rocks are considered/treated. Several excursions are planned finalized on 1) sediment sampling methods (daily excursions-laboratory on lagoon environment or/and in coastal area in Trieste; 2) The geology of the Triestine Carso (day excursions focused on carbonate rocks and Flysch in the Val Rosandra area (Trieste). A joint excursion is planned with the Palaeontology course in the Carnic Pre-Alps (2 days).

Lectures; laboratories; educational excursions. The teaching material is available in MOODLE2. It is highly recommended that students take part in laboratories and excursions.

Reception hours: to be agreed upon with students on a as needs basis.

The exam program coincides with the lecture topics. The exam is oral and involves the recognition of various rock samples and a discussion of all the lecture contents. More details are present on MOODLE 2, exposed during the first lesson and recalled during the course.

This course explores topics closely related to one or more goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs): Quality education Gender equality Climate action