EARTHQUAKE GEOLOGY

Single discipline educational activity

Course Sheet

Course code:

GE141

Academic Year of enrolment:

2023

Year of supply:

2023/2024

Type of Course:

Characterising

Degree:

Course of 2nd Cycle Degree in GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES OF EARTH AND PLANETS

Disciplinary Sector:

Structural Geology

Language:

Italian

Location:

CHIETI

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

BONCIO Paolo

Cycle:

Second semester

Hours of classroom activity:

Individual study hours:

Prerequisites:

Degree (1st level) in Geologic Sciences (Italian L 34) or equivalent.

Objectives

Earthquakes are among the most dangerous and recurrent natural hazards. It is largely agreed that the geologic study of earthquakes can significantly contribute to evaluating the seismic hazard and mitigating seismic risk. The geologic study of earthquakes is a prerogative of geologists.
Objective of the course is the training of a geologist who knows the fundamental aspects of earthquake geology, in particular: i) basics of earthquake mechanics, ii) surface geologic effects of earthquakes and their using in recognizing past earthquakes, iii) main techniques for analyzing earthquake faults, and v) main applications of earthquake geology to seismic hazard assessment and fault displacement hazard analysis.

Contents

The course will deal with theoretical aspects on: 1) geology of the earthquake source region (rheology and seismicity, friction and earthquakes, earthquake recurrence); 2) earthquake surface effects (primary and secondary) and tsunamis; 3) techniques for the geological study of earthquakes (tectonic geodesy and geomorphology, paleoseismology); 4) application of earthquake geology to seismic hazard assessment; fault displacement hazard.
Practice: field work (2 days) + Info-Lab (exercises in class) aimed at mapping an active fault trace; measuring coseismic displacements (2016 earthquake); measuring fault scarps; calculating slip rate and fault-related earthquake parameters (expected Magnitude, surface displacement, recurrence interval, .); gridding, logging and interpreting a paleoseismic trench wall.

Extended Syllabus

Introduction to the earthquake “problem”.
1) Geology of the earthquake source region (basic concepts on earthquake mechanics): rheology of the lithosphere and seismicity, friction and earthquakes; earthquake recurrence.
2) Earthquake surface effects: primary (surface faulting) and secondary (liquefaction, landslides). Earthquakes and tsunamis.
3) Techniques in earthquake geology: recalls of tectonic geodesy, tectonic geomorphology and dating methods; paleoseismology.
4) Application of Earthquake Geology to seismic hazard assessment; fault displacement hazard.

Practice: field work (3 days) + Info-Lab (exercises in class): mapping of an active fault trace; observing and mapping coseismic surface ruptures (2016 earthquake); measuring fault scarps; calculating slip rate and fault-related earthquake parameters (expected Magnitude, surface displacement, recurrence interval ...); gridding, logging and interpreting a paleoseismic trench wall.

Recommended Bibliography

THE GEOLOGY OF EARTHQUAKES – R.S. Yeats, K. Sieh, C.R. Allen, 1997, Oxford Univ. Press.
Other text for specific readings:
- THE MECHANICS OF EARTHQUAKE AND FAULTING – C.H. Scholz, 2001, Cambridge University Press.
- PALEOSEISMOLOGY – J.P. McCalpin, 2nd Edition, 2009, Academic Press, Elsevier.
- Teaching material made available via the e-learning platform.

Teaching Methods

Taught class. Teaching in the field. Independent and group work of the student in informatics laboratory and in the field aided and verified by the teacher.

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

Learning level will be checked during the practicals, which imply application of theoretical understanding. A written test during the course will be planned. At the end of the course, the students will complete a short report with results of the practical exercises. This will be an opportunity to check the learning and eventually fill knowledge gaps. The final evaluation will be by means of an oral exam.

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

Aree

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