Period: First semester

Course Unit Contents:

1. Introduction [1h]
– Course objectives, exam format, reference texts
– Presentation of the instructor and students
2. Early measurements of the Earth
3. Gravity and Newton’s Laws
– Newton’s laws
– Potential energy and work
– Gravitational acceleration (field concept)
– Earth's mean density
4. Earth's shape and gravity
– Ellipsoid, geoid, geodetic undulations
– Gravity measurements, corrections, anomalies
– Isostasy and evidence of 3D mass variations
5. Recap and discussion
– Density from gravitation and moment of inertia
– Geodetic undulations as evidence of interior structure
– Earth’s interior is not homogeneous
6. Earth's rheology
– Elastic, viscous, and plastic behavior
7. Seismic waves
– Types, velocities, and refraction
8. Earth's internal structure
– Density inversion and seismic discontinuities
9. Earth's heat
– Thermodynamic principles
– Internal temperature distribution
– Heat transport: conduction, convection, radiation
– Internal heat sources
– Fourier’s law and conduction equation
– External heat and lithosphere cooling
– Thermal convection and mantle dynamics
10. Radioactivity and radiometric dating
– Dating principles, radioactive heat sources (Holmes)
11. Earth's age and early thermal models
– Analytical heat theory (Kelvin vs Holmes)
12. Geomagnetic field
13. Plate tectonics
– From continental drift to modern tectonics
– Role of seismology and magnetism
14. Global seismic tomography
– Techniques and major findings

Planned learning activities and teaching methods: 

• Traditional lectures with blackboard and visual presentations
• Analysis and discussion of real geophysical datasets
• Active student involvement through guided questions and discussions
• Occasional student-led mini-presentations or group debates

In addition to contacting the course instructor, students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), Special Educational Needs (SEN), and other health conditions can reach out to the Student Services Office - Inclusion Unit to receive more information about opportunities to access teaching with specific support and tools.

Ultime modifiche: martedì, 16 settembre 2025, 14:46