Research groups
- Geografia fisica e geomorfologia (GEO-04)
- Geologia Applicata (GEO-05)
- Paleontologia e paleoecologia (GEO-01)
- Petrologia e petrografia (GEO-07)
Physical Geography and Geomorphology
Research activities carried out by the Physical Geography and Geomorphology Group are directed, on the one hand, to the study, assessment and mitigation of geomorphological hazards and risks and, on the other hand, to the study, assessment and appraisal of geomorphological heritage. Particular attention is paid to reconstructing the geomorphological evolution in some study areas in the Dolomites, Northern Apennines and central Po Plain, in relation to climatic changes, neotectonics and human development. Investigations are carried out within the framework of both international (European Commission) and national (Italian National Research Council and Ministry for Universities) agreements and in collaboration with local public boards (regions, autonomous provinces and municipalities).
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Engineering Geology
The Research Group in Engineering Geology is engaged in: i) definition and monitoring of the reactivation mechanisms of large, slow mass movements; ii) identification of areas subject to landslide hazard by means of spatial and deterministic models; iii) assessment of groundwater resources in mountain areas. Investigations are mainly concentrated on the Emylia side of the Northern Apennines and are carried out in collaboration with the Italian National Research Council and local technical offices of the Emilia-Romagna Region.
Paleontologia e paleoecologia
Research activity of the Palaeontology and Paleoecology group are mainly focussed on: Facies analysis and palaeoecological reconstruction of Mediterranean Cenozoic reef ecosystems: paleoclimatic and paleogeographic implications; Evolution and biodiversity of Mediterranean Cenozoic coral assemblages: database processing and analysis; Marginal and terrigenous sediment-dominated reef paleoenvironments: effects of turbidity and nutrient input on reef structure and composition of coral assemblages; Evolution of vermetid reefs and their potential use as proxies for paleobathymetric and paleoclimatic reconstructions; Cenozoic larger foraminifera assemblages (nummulitids, discocyclinids, alveolinids) for biostratigraphic and paleoecological purposes; Nummulite banks: their production, paleoenvironmental and lithogenetic significance; Organic matter preservation in biogenic carbonates; Sedimentology and paleoecology of microbial-metazoan assemblages; Archaeometrical analyses of fossils in sedimentary rocks from ancient monuments and from archaeological surveys; High-resolution biostratigraphy in several key-areas of Northern Gondwana, mainly by means of conodonts and graptolites, in the Late Cambrian-Devonian interval; Palaeoenvironmental/palaeobiogeographical interpretation of some Palaeozoic regions.
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Petrology and Petrography
Research lines are: a) petrogical problems in mantle and crust (Rivalenti, Mazzucchelli) b) petrogenesis of sedimentary rocks (Rossi) c) Cultural heritage (Mazzucchelli) A: 1) modellisation of metasomatic processes in the mantle, specifically interaction between subducted plate-derived components and mantle wedge and between plume-related melts and lithospheric mantle; 2) reactive porous flow in Alpine peridotite massifs; 3) interaction of mantle melts and continental crust in anorogenic complexes. B: 1) evolution processes of sedimentary formations and of epigenetic minerals; 2) minerogenesis in hypogean environments of natural caves, where occasionally organic material deposits induce very peculiar chemico-physical conditions. C: study of bronze artefacts in order to determine source areas of raw materials and to obtain information on the metallurgic techniques.
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