Geology of the Mediterranean Area

The Course is divided into two parts. The first part is dedicated to some geological aspects of the Mediterranea area. Some basic notions of geology such as extensional, convergent, and transcurrent tectonics and relative structures will be revised. Some paleogeographic interpretations proposed by various Authors will be presented to understand the evolution of the past and present Mediterranean area. This part of the course then will focus on some significant areas from the geodynamic point of view such as the orogenic belts. The main methodologies commonly used in marine geosciences will be illustrated to understand how the geological data can be obtained in submerged area. The second part of the Course will be devoted to the petrography, petrology and geochemistry of the main geological environments illustrated in the first part of the Course. In particular, the Cenozoic magmatic activity of the Italian Peninsula will be illustrated and explaind. A field trip in one of the described areas may possibly be organised.