Research Team: Granite Analysis Group
Research Activities
My research mainly focus on viscous deformation and high-grade metamorphism of the middle and lower continental crust. In particular, I use microstructural analysis (SEM/EDS, EBSD), thermodynamic modelling of phase-equilibria assemblages (MAGEMin, PERPLE_X, THERMOCALC), U-Pb dating (LA-ICP MS). I combine these techniques with numerical modelling (Finite Differences) and theoretical analysis to understand: i) the evolution of deep magmatic systems and the interplay between deformation, HT/HP metamorphism and magmatism, ii) the feedback between different grain-scale deformation mechanisms, and iii) the way deformation localizes below the brittle-ductile transition. I apply this approach to several pilot areas well known for their world-class exposure of deep crustal sections, such as the Variscan northern Sardinia (High-Grade Metamorphic Complex), the central Alps (Lepontine Dome), and the western Alps (the Ivrea-Verbano Zone). Recently, in collaboration with colleagues of the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), I started to investigate how deformation localizes at extreme high-temperature conditions in the oceanic crust (equatorial Mid Atlantic Ridge, 16°5' N).
Members (Permanent Staff)
Leonardo Casini (casini@uniss.it), associate professor GEO/03 orcid.org/0000-0002-6157-1865
Collaborators
Giovanni Luca Cardello (glcardello@uniss.it), non-tenure track researcher (RTDa), geo/03 https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0521 7949
Alfredo Idini (aidini@uniss.it), non-tenure track researcher (RTDa), geo/06 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9937-5149
Relevant Publications
Casini, L., Maino, M., Manna, L., Funedda, A. (2023). MYflow – a simple computer program for rheological modelling of mylonites. JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY, 177, 105006.
Casini, L., Maino, M., Langone, A., Oggiano, G., Corvò, S., Reche, J.-E., Liesa, M. (2023) – HTLP metamorphism and fluid-fluxed melting during multi-stage anatexis of continental crust (N Sardinia, Italy). JOURNAL OF METAMORPHIC GEOLOGY, DOI: 10.1111/jmg.12687
Casini, L., Maino, M., Sanfilippo, A., Ildefonse, B. Dick, J.B.H. (2021) - High-temperature strain localization and the nucleation of Oceanic Core Complexes (16.5º N, Mid-Atlantic Ridge). JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH: SOLID EARTH 126, e2021JB022215. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JB022215
Casini, L., Andreucci, S., Sechi, D., Huang, C.-Y., Shen, C.-C., Pascucci, V. (2020) - Luminescence dating of Late Pleistocene faults as evidence of uplift and active tectonics in Sardinia, W Mediterranean. TERRA NOVA, https://doi.org/10.1111/ter.12458 Progetti Attivi Maino, M.,
Casini, L., Ceriani, A., Decarlis, A., Di Giulio, A., Seno, S., Setti, M., Stuart, F.M. (2015) – Dating shallow thrust with zircon (U-Th)He thermochronometry – the shear heating connection. GEOLOGY, 43, 6, 495-498. doi:10.1130/G36492.1
Thesis/internship topics
1. field structural analysis and geological mapping of granites and high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Asinara Island (Sardinia)
2. melting processes in the continental crust - theory and experiments
3. Microstructural study of stress-driven UHT/UHP metamorphism in ductile shear zones and faults 4. numerical modelling of magmatic processes with finite-differences approach