Optional field trip before workshop: the Ligurian ophiolites
(led by R. Tribuzio and others)
The two-days excursion wishes mainly to show an intraoceanic domain of the Ligure-Piemontese basin (Internal Liguride ophiolites). In particular, the relationships among mantle peridotites, gabbroic intrusives, basalt flows and sedimentary material will be considered. Some of the exposures comprise:
- gabbroic bodies within mantle peridotites;
- sill-like lenses of olivine-rich troctolites interlayered with coarse-grained olivine-bearing gabbros;
- gabbros with high-temperature ductile shear zones, in turn crosscut at high angle by arrays of hornblende-bearing veins;
- faulted calcite-bearing serpentinised peridotites (“ophicalcites”), covered by basalt flows or sedimentary material (breccias and radiolarian cherts).
The excursion does not present special walking difficulties. Many of the stops are situated along the seacoast stretching from Levanto to Bonassola and Framura, close to Cinque Terre (Riviera Ligure).
Timing:
- September 27, late afternoon: arrival of participants to Levanto
- September 28 to September 29: field trip and overnight stays in Levanto
- September 29, late afternoon: end of the field trip and transportation of participants to Parma
How to reach Levanto: The nearest international airports are Genova and Pisa. It takes about 1 hour to get to Levanto from Pisa or Genova railway stations with Intercity trains (for timetable and electronic ticket purchase see http://www.ferroviedellostato.it). Direct train links (3 hours) from Milano Centrale railway station are also available.
