Previous work

"Evaluation of structural conditions for the occurrence of landslides in Serra do Mar: a case study in the municipalities of Caraguatatuba and São Sebastião (SP)".

Since the Serra do Mar mountain range is one of the most susceptible regions to landslides in the São Paulo state coast, we performed a geologic-structural analysis linking the presence of reliquiar tectonic structures (fractures, foliation, etc.) with the landslide occurrence. This study was performed in Caraguatatuba county that is historically known for the great number of mass movements over the years. The objective of this paper is to assess landslide occurrences in Serra do Mar (Caraguatatuba, SP) and investigate, by means of kinematic analysis, how they correlate with foliation and fractures present on the rocks. Dip slopes, with NE–SW direction, have greatest potential for the occurrence of planar landslides. On the other hand, anti-dip and cross-dip slopes have a greater potential to develop wedge landslides. Rock weathering and fluid flux along foliation planes can intensify mass movement. Such effect is also seen in residual soil, since they are able to preserve relict structures of the rock.

Master of Science dissertation theme.
Funded by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq).

People involved:
- Prof. Dr. Fábio A. G. V. Reis (advisor), São Paulo State University (UNESP).
- Prof. Dr. Vania Rosolen, São Paulo State University (UNESP).

Main methods and tools used:
- DIPS program from Rocscience;
- Field structural analysis;
- Soil chemical (by XRF and XRD) and macro and micromorphological analysis;
- Soil toposequence analysis.

"Integrated analysis of the fracturing pattern in carbonate rocks of the Irati Formation using Terrestrial Laser Scanner".

The main objective of this work was to understand the fracturing pattern of the Irati Formation carbonates rocks and its relation with the hydrocarbon impregnation and migration.
Under a mechanical stratigraphy point of view, carbonates have a brittle behavior and constitute mechanical units. Ductile shale and siltstone are mechanical interfaces, capable of blocking joint propagation. Joints NW-SE are more effective in trespassing the mechanical interface and, therefore, they are more persistent. Joints NE-SW are less persistent than the NW-SE ones because the ductile behavior of the first two shale beds above the carbonate blocks their propagation. The spatial arrangement of the NW-SE and NE-SW joints promoted the reservoir connection and allowed oil migration and accumulation.
As an auxiliary tool and new method, we used the Terrestrial Laser Scanner to identify, automatically, the fractures direction and the presence of hydrocarbon impregnation.

Geologist degree work theme.
Funded by São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) - grant number 2013/19878-6.

People involved:
- Prof. Dr. George Luiz Luvizotto (advisor), São Paulo State University (UNESP).
- Prof. Dr. Francisco M. W. Tognoli (co-advisor), Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (Unisinos).