Rock Physics
Objective
Rock Physics provides the understanding to connect geomechanical and geophysical data to the intrinsic properties of rocks, such as mineral composition and texture. Rock Physics is a key component in geo-resources exploration and exploitation, and in geo-hazard assessment. The understanding of the physical laws of geo-processes enables to interpret better other related fields such as structural geology and geophysics.
Content
The course will introduce and combine principles from geophysics, structural geology, crystallography, applied mathematics, and other disciplines. The intrinsic properties of rocks, such as mineralogy, porosity, pore fluids, crystallographic orientation, microstructures and textures, will be connected to physical parameters controlling the permeability, the thermal and elastic properties of rocks, both at the scale of the single specimen and at the scale of geological formations. The nature and origin of anisotropy of physical properties will be discussed. Real data examples will be used to present a variety of case studies and applications. Lectures will alternate with laboratory demonstrations.
Prerequisites
Undergraduate courses in the following subjects are highly recommended in order to get the most out of this specialist course:
- Mineralogy & Crystallography
- Geophysics