Academic Year 2017/2018

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Natural Sciences (cod. 8016)

Learning outcomes

The course gives to the students the main skills to understand the eruptive processes and volcanic products. In particular, the students are able to: - describe the main volcanic forms; - recognize the main volcanic deposits (primary and reworked); - understand the main criteria of volcanic risk evaluation.

Course contents

The course is arranged into different sections aimed at providing a general framework of knowledge on the structure of a volcano starting from its magmatic sources to the volcanic edifices on surface, and at defining the main eruption types and depositional mechanisms of the various volcanic products with a special outcome on the evaluation of volcanic risk. I – MAGMA (roots of a volcano). Geodynamics and distribution of volcanoes on Earth. Origin, composition and ascent of magmas. Magma chambers. Dykes and eruptive conduits. Physical properties of magmas. II – EFFUSIVE VOLCANISM. Features and flow dynamics of mafic lava flows (pahoehoe and aa). Features and flow dynamics of silicic lavas: blocky lava flows, rhyolitic lava flows (coulees), volcanic domes. Submarine and subglacial volcanism. Evolution of a volcanic island. III - EXPLOSIVE VOLCANISM. Classification of volcanic activity. Processes of magmatic fragmentation (volatile exsolution and magma/water interaction). Volcanic plumes and fall deposits. Pyroclastic density currents and related deposits. Volcanic deposits and eruption types. Morphology of the volcanic edifices. IV – VOLCANO-TECTONICS. Volcano-tectonic collapse structures (calderas and sector collapses). Mass gravity flows (debris avalanches, lahar). V - VOLCANIC RISK. Volcanic hazard maps. Main criteria of risk mitigation in volcanic areas. Principles of monitoring in volcanic areas.

Teacher in charge: Dott. Federico Lucchi

The course is organized into 32 hours of frontal lessons (4 CFU)

Readings/Bibliography

Power Point lecture notes.

• R.A.F. Cas, J.W. Wright, 1987. Volcanic successions: modern and ancient. London Unwin Hyman.

• H. Sigurdsson (Ed.), 2000. Encyclopedia of Volcanoes. Accademic press, San Diego, U.S.A.

• M.J. Branney, P. Kokelaar, 2002. Pyroclastic density currents and the sedimentation of ignimbrites. Geological Society of London, Memoirs 27.

• H.U. Schminke, 2004. Volcanism. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg.

  • R.V. Fisher, H.U. Schminke, 1984. Pyroclastic rocks. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg.

Teaching methods

PowerPoint presentations.

Recognition of volcanic rocks and deposits through hand samples or outcrop photographs.

The course takes advantage of the possibility to carry out a (otpional) field excursion in Italian volcanic areas (Aeolian Islands, Mt. Etna and Vesuvio) aimed at verifying the learning of the concepts treated during the room lectures.

Assessment methods

The assessment is aimed at verifying the knowledge of the student about the main aspects of volcanology.

Oral exam.

Teaching tools

Video-projector.

Hand samples.

Office hours

See the website of Federico Lucchi