The main objective of the course is the acquisition of the fundamental theoretical knowledge about heat transmission inside the Earth,
formation, rising mechanisms, solidification, and cooling of the magmas. The students will develop the capability of analysis and determination of the thermal conditions of the lithosphere. The acquired knowledge can be
applied to the quantification of the geothermal resources, implying the determination of how the heat is distributed in the outer layers of the Earth and the evaluation of how much heat could be extracted. The
students will have the opportunity to learn how to write a MatLab code to calculate the lithospheric geotherm in steady state and transient thermal conditions and of the main thermal parameters.

Prerequisites: Knowledge of Earth Sciences acquired during the bachelor degree and of basic computer programming.
Propedeutic Exams: Having passed the exams of geology I, geology II, mineralogy, physics of the solid Earth, and informatics for geosciences.

Physical structure and thermal state of the Earth. Thermal parameters of the rocks. Heat flow, heat transport by conduction and convection. Thermal structure of the oceanic and continental lithosphere. Thermal regime in regions of extension and compression. Volcanic and magmatic processes. Hot spot, mantle plumes, magmatic provinces. Global energy budget. Thermal evolution of the Earth. Heat transfer in hydrogeological
settings. Presentations of regional cases of study.

1. Crustal Heat Flow. A guide to measurement and modelling. J.R.
Beardsmore and J.P. Cull. Cambridge University Press.
2. Heat generation and transport in the Earth. C. Jaupart and J.C.
Mareshal. Cambridge University Press.
3. Applied Geothermics. Eppelbaum, Kutasov, Pilchin. Springer.
4. Geothermics. Heat Flow in the lithosphere. PasqualeV, Verdoya M., Chiozzi P. Springer.

Physical structure and thermal state of the Earth. Thermal parameters of the rocks, thermal conductivity, heat capacity, and radiogenic heat generation. Heat flow, heat transport by conduction and by convection. Thermal structure of the oceanic lithosphere. Cooling models for oceanic heat flux and bathymetry. Thermal structure of the continental lithosphere. Continental lithosphere in steady state. Thermal regime in
regions of extension and compression. Volcanic and magmatic processes. Hot spot, mantle plumes, magmatic provinces. Global energy budget.
Heat loss of the Earth. Thermal evolution of the Earth. Methods of
thermal field measurements. Thermal structure of sediments and sedimentary basins. Indicators of thermal maturity of sediments. Thermochronology. Heat transfer in hydrogeological settings. Main characteristics of geothermal systems. Presentations of regional cases of
study.

Lectures showing the theoretical contents of the course and cases of study, with computer exercises to calculate and analyse the thermophysical parameters and the geotherm in steady state and transient conditions (MatLab script).

Oral exam with questions about all the topics presented in the course and comprehensive of a Power Point presentation illustrating a thematic
research. During the oral exam both the comprehension of the contents
of the course and the exhibition capability are evaluated.

The knowledge of the thermal conditions of our Planet, acquired during the attendance of theis course, is fundamental to estimate the distribution of the geothermal energy in depth. Geothermal energy is a renewable and green source for energy production and heating/cooling activities and has a great development potential in many European countries. However, the exploitation of geothermal resources is possible
only upon a detailed characterization of the reservoir/aquifer. This course offers the tools to do it and provide the needed knowledges to lower the
risk of exploration and optimize the design of renewable energy
production systems.