Dr. Luca Caracciolo

Akademischer Mitarbeiter

Lehrstuhl für Geologie
GeoZentrum Nordbayern

Schlossgarten 5
91054 Erlangen
Deutschland

Telefon: +49913185-29240
E-Mail: luca.caracciolo@fau.de

My research is focused on the application of a wide spectrum of Provenance analysis techniques applied to basin analysis, particularly on the relationships between tectonic and sedimentation. Most relevant analytical approaches and research interests are Quantitative sedimentary provenance analysis; Sedimentary petrology and heavy minerals, detrital geochemistry, sedimentary processes (weathering / recycling, sorting and volcaniclastic sedimentation) diagenesis (cementation chronology, pore-water interaction, thermal history), Low temperature thermochronology (Fission tracks and U/Th/He dating). I’m keen at using and integrating state of the art techniques – e.g. Raman and QemScan – and model compositional data to link sediment mineralogy to sedimentary processes.

The most exciting and challenging aspect of my researach is to use provenance and sediment composition in different fields, especially those related to the O&G and geothermal industry for enhanced interpretation of facies hetherogeneity, reservoir connectivity, diagenetic environments and their influence on fluid migration . Combining both academic and industry experience, I had the chance to work and publish in areas distributed in all continents including Europe, North and South America, Africa, SE Asia, Australia and New Zealand. I’m actively involved in industry projects and training of professionals from the O&G industry.

School on Sandstone Diagenesis

Information about the School on Sandstone Diagenesis can be found here.

Environmental Signals Propagation in Sediment Routing Systems across the Permian-Triassic Boundary.

(Drittmittelfinanzierte Einzelförderung)

Laufzeit: 1. März 2022 - 28. Februar 2025
Mittelgeber: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)

Abstract

Two of the biggest challenges in sedimentary geology are (i) the identification of tectonic and climatic perturbations – particularly in relation to down-system propagation in both modern deep-time sedimentary systems, and (ii) the reconstruction of paleo-sediment fluxes in ancient Sediment Routing Systems (SRS) (Caracciolo, 2020). Tectonic and climatic forcings perturbate the steady state of geological landscapes which in turn adapt to the increase/decrease of erosion rates, water discharge, sediment flux, downstream sedimentfining, and sediment partitioning. Furthermore, lithological controls (e.g. how different lithologies react to weathering and sediment production) are commonly overlooked or oversimplified, hence, the calculation of sediment flux in deep-time is often imprecise. Key information relevant to the reconstruction of ancient SRS can be extracted from mineralogy and compositional signatures of sediments. Detrital provenance signatures are possibly the most reliable tool in deep-time research as they faithfully record the provenance of source lithologies. While post-depositional overprinting can destroy pristine, compositionally diagnostic signatures (e.g. mineral dissolution during weathering and/or diagenesis), complete destruction of the compositional signature is unlikely (Caracciolo, 2020, Caracciolo et al., 2020; Chew et al, 2020).The Permian-Triassic transition is of general interest since it witnessed the most devastating mass extinction in the Phanerozoic (Erwin, 1994; Hallam and Wignall, 1997). About 95% of marine species and 75% of terrestrial species, both plants and animals went extinct.The general models for continental sedimentation converge towards increasing aridity from the Permian to the Early Triassic, with potential increase of sediment flux being related to (i) increase of precipitations in the catchment area, or (ii) increased runoff due to the lack of vegetation (Ward et al., 2000; Newell et al., 2011; Bourquin et al., 2011; Wilson et al., 2019; Zhu et al., 2020). However, several studies suggested that global warming across the P-T transition (Joachimski et al. 2012, 2020) greatly enhanced continental weathering thus providing more nutrients to the ocean. Excessive nutrients are assumed to have stimulated primary productivity, leading to widely observed anoxia-euxinia in Early Triassic oceans (Algeo et al., 2010; Algeo et al., 2011).The implications from proving and especially quantifying an increase in sediment flux are important. Firstly, because the PTB is one of the most critical time intervals in Earth history, and the interplay of tectonics, climate, and changes in the sediment flux are currently poorly understood. Secondly, enhanced silicate weathering could have effectively contributed to the sequestration of atmospheric CO2 emitted by Siberian Trap volcanism instead climate regulation by silicate weathering may have failed in case of no major change in weathering and extensive volcanic degassing (see Kump, 2018).The main aims of the project are to (i) establish a reliable methodology integrating paleodrainage, cosmogenic nuclides, and Quantitative Provenance Analysis to constrain the evolution of SRS in deep-time, (ii) quantify erosion rates and sediment flux and disentangle the role of tectonics, climate, and drainage lithologies on the generation and transfer of sediments across the PTB, (iii) prove/disprove the climate regulation through silicate weathering across the PTB. In this project, a systematic approach to quantify landscape modifications to climatic and tectonic perturbations, and the correspondent variations in sediment flux is proposed.

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Allogene Kontrolle der Sedimenterzeugung und der Erosionsraten im höchsten Küstengebiet der Erde: die Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Nordost Kolumbien)

(Drittmittelfinanzierte Einzelförderung)

Laufzeit: 1. Januar 2020 - 31. Dezember 2021
Mittelgeber: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)

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Rapide Versenkung eines trockenen Sandsteins – die besondere kompaktionsdominierte Diagenese der Twyfelfontein Formation, NW Namibia

(Drittmittelfinanzierte Einzelförderung)

Laufzeit: 1. Oktober 2019 - 30. September 2022
Mittelgeber: DFG-Einzelförderung / Sachbeihilfe (EIN-SBH)

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Geothermal energy for megacities: phase 1, Bogota

(Drittmittelfinanzierte Einzelförderung)

Laufzeit: 1. Januar 2019 - 31. Dezember 2021
Mittelgeber: Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD)

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Geothermisches Potenzial in Nord-Kolumbien und Süd-Peru, Aufbau einer Kooperation mit Universitäten und Entwicklung eines Studentenaustauschprogramms

(Drittmittelfinanzierte Einzelförderung)

Laufzeit: 1. Januar 2018 - 31. August 2018
Mittelgeber: Bayerische Forschungsallianz (BayFOR)

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Masterstudiengang "GeoThermie/GeoEnergie"

(Drittmittelfinanzierte Gruppenförderung – Teilprojekt)

Titel des Gesamtprojektes: Geothermie-Allianz Bayern (GAB)
Laufzeit: 1. Januar 2016 - 31. Dezember 2021
Mittelgeber: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Bildung und Kultus, Wissenschaft und Kunst (ab 10/2013)
URL: https://www.geoenergy.nat.fau.de/studium/

Abstract

In Bayern gibt es bisher keinen Studiengang, der auf Geothermie/Geoenergieressourcen fokussiert ist und relevante Lehrinhalte ganzheitlich - von der Aufsuchung und Erschließung bis zur energetischen Nutzung und Speicherung der Ressource - an Studierende vermittelt. Die an den beiden Standorten TU München und FAU Erlangen vorhandenen Lehr- und Forschungskompetenzen sollen durch die Einrichtung eines in der Verantwortung der FAU liegenden interdisziplinären Master-Studiengangs "GeoThermie/GeoEnergie" zusammengeführt und und inhaltlich ergänzt werden. Dies erfordert einen personellen Ausbau der Fachrichtungen I) Seismische Interpretation & Untergrund-Modellierung und II) Reservoirgeologie & Geohydraulik.
Für den Master-Studiengang "GeoThermie/GeoEnergie" wird ein interdisziplinärer Ansatz angestrebt:
Neben der geowissenschaftlichen Komponente soll auch die technische Erschließung
und energietechnische Nutzung von geothermischen Reservoiren, ergänzt durch energiewirtschaftliche
und berg-/umweltrechtliche Aspekte behandelt werden. Somit kann den Studierenden
sowohl das angestrebte ganzheitliche Systemverständnis als auch das einem modernen
Anforderungsprofil der Energiewirtschaft entsprechende Methodenspektrum vermittelt werden.
Die den Studierenden vermittelten Methoden sind jedoch keinesfalls nur auf Anwendungen in
der Geothermie beschränkt, sondern auch auf sehr viele andere, das Verständnis des tieferen
geologischen Untergrunds betreffende Fragestellungen (z.B. Gas-, Fluid- und
Wärmespeicherung) direkt übertragbar.

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Late Cretaceous to Recent post-breakup evolution of the African S-Atlantic margin: integrating onshore field studies; sequence development, offshore seismic data, numerical dating and modelling

(Drittmittelfinanzierte Gruppenförderung – Teilprojekt)

Titel des Gesamtprojektes: SPP 1375: SAMPLE: South Atlantic Margin Processes and Links with onshore Evolution
Laufzeit: 1. November 2008 - 31. Juli 2017
Mittelgeber: DFG / Schwerpunktprogramm (SPP)

Abstract

Multiple phases of volcanism, uplift and subsidence are recorded after the breakup of the Namibian South Atlantic margin segment – features which are regarded as atypical when compared to published examples of other post-breakup continental margin successions. It is currently not understood whether these geodynamic processes are only of regional or a broader, South Atlantic intercontinental importance. Existing low T thermochronometric analyses, cosmogenic isotope measurements on bedrock surfaces and tectonic and stratigraphic analysis of the post-breakup succession could be advantageously completed and calibrated by (A) the interpretation of offshore industrial seismic and well log data (uppermost 2s TWT) and (B) the analysis of onshore sedimentary archives such as post-breakup fluvial depositional sequences, marine terraces, aeolianites, palaeo-seacliffs, incised valleys and syntectonic strata in the hanging-walls of normal faults. Both, onshore and offshore strata provide a high-resolution archive of processes accompanying the breakup and post-breakup evolution of the South Atlantic margin. Many of the coastal marine terraces contain dateable material suitable for biostratigraphic analysis combined with ESR and OSL dating. Offshore seismic structural and stratigraphic analysis and well data will be integrated with a detailed 3D stratigraphic and structural analysis as well as dynamic retro- and forward modelling which forms the basis for a combined 3D onshore-offshore surface-subsurface model.

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2025

Caracciolo L., Hatzenbühler D., Chew D., Weltje GJ., Liedel S., Vermeesch P., Piraquive A., Regelous M., Lünsdorf K., Villamizar-Escalante N.:
Understanding sedimentary processes in the uphill catchment of Source-to Sink-Systems: An example from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (NE Colombia)
In: Earth-Science Reviews 266 (2025), Art.Nr.: 105136
ISSN: 0012-8252
DOI: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2025.105136
Isla M., Schwarz E., Caracciolo L., Remírez MN., Veiga GD., Finzel E.:
Documenting a coastal sediment routing tract in the sedimentary record: Implications for coastal palaeogeography and sand distribution patterns
In: Sedimentology (2025)
ISSN: 0037-0746
DOI: 10.1111/sed.13262

2024

Janßen M., Caracciolo L., Bonnell LM., Lander RH., Adelhardt P., Moldenhauer L., Munnecke A., van Geldern R., Stollhofen H.:
From loose sand to sandstone: An experimental approach on early calcite precipitation in sands of siliciclastic and mixed carbonate-siliciclastic composition
In: PLoS ONE 19 (2024), Art.Nr.: e0312479
ISSN: 1932-6203
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0312479
Karlonienė D., Caracciolo L., Pupienis D.:
Unveiling coastal dynamics: Investigating beach sediment distribution patterns along the Lithuanian Baltic Sea coast through heavy mineral analysis
In: Marine Geology 474 (2024), Art.Nr.: 107320
ISSN: 0025-3227
DOI: 10.1016/j.margeo.2024.107320
Liedel S., Caracciolo L., Beltrán‐Triviño A., Restrepo JC., Restrepo Ángel JD., Szczerba M.:
A Quantitative Provenance Analysis (QPA) Approach to Quantify Controls on Sediment Generation and Sediment Flux in the Upper Reaches of the Magdalena River (Colombia): 2. Lithological Control on Contribution to Silt‐ to Clay‐Sized Fractions
In: Journal of Geophysical Research F: Earth Surface 129 (2024), Art.Nr.: e2023JF007379
ISSN: 2169-9003
DOI: 10.1029/2023JF007379
URL: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023JF007379
Liedel S., Caracciolo L., Restrepo JC., Weltje GJ., Lucà F., Beltrán‐Triviño A., Restrepo Ángel JD.:
A Quantitative Provenance Analysis (QPA) Approach to Quantify Controls on Sediment Generation and Sediment Flux in the Upper Reaches of the Magdalena River (Colombia): 1. Natural and Anthropic Controls on the Sand Fraction
In: Journal of Geophysical Research F: Earth Surface 129 (2024), Art.Nr.: e2023JF007369
ISSN: 2169-9003
DOI: 10.1029/2023JF007369
URL: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023JF007369
Salomon E., Stollhofen H., Caracciolo L., Bonnell LM., Lander RH., Kittel M.:
Burial of a sand sea: Heterogeneous compaction and cementation of the jurassic Etjo Formation, Namibia and what it tells
In: Marine and Petroleum Geology 168 (2024), S. 107044
ISSN: 0264-8172
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2024.107044
Viseras C., Cabello P., Yeste LM., Alcalde J., López-Blanco M., Cuevas JL., Gil-Ortiz M., Caracciolo L., De Mesquita Veloso F., Heinemann N., Falivene O., Varela AN., Rúa E., Blanco A., Jaímez J.:
Sedimentología para la transición energética: proyecto SOSGAS, un ejemplo de flujo de trabajo para la evaluación de calidad de reservorios
In: Geogaceta 76 (2024), S. 15-18
ISSN: 0213-683X
DOI: 10.55407/geogaceta104487
Yeste LM., Gil-Ortiz M., García-García F., Viseras C., Mcdougall ND., Cabello P., Caracciolo L.:
Tidal versus fluvial point bars: Key features from the integration of outcrop, core and wireline log information of Triassic examples
In: Depositional Record (2024)
ISSN: 2055-4877
DOI: 10.1002/dep2.282

2023

Janßen M., Caracciolo L., Bonnell LM., Lander RH., Munnecke A., Beltrán-Triviño A., Muto F., Stollhofen H.:
Climatic, depositional and environmental controls on early carbonate cementation in fluvial and shallow marine sandstones
In: Marine and Petroleum Geology 156 (2023), Art.Nr.: 106433
ISSN: 0264-8172
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2023.106433
Ravidà D., Caracciolo L., Heins WA., Stollhofen H.:
Towards an improved discrimination and correlation of Permian-Lower Triassic sediments in Central Europe: A chemostratigraphic approach
In: Sedimentary Geology 452 (2023), Art.Nr.: 106408
ISSN: 0037-0738
DOI: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2023.106408
Vermeesch P., Lipp AG., Hatzenbühler D., Caracciolo L., Chew D.:
Multidimensional Scaling of Varietal Data in Sedimentary Provenance Analysis
In: Journal of Geophysical Research F: Earth Surface 128 (2023), Art.Nr.: e2022JF006992
ISSN: 0148-0227
DOI: 10.1029/2022JF006992

2022

Hatzenbühler D., Caracciolo L., Weltje GJ., Piraquive A., Regelous M.:
Lithologic, geomorphic, and climatic controls on sand generation from volcanic rocks in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta massif (NE Colombia)
In: Sedimentary Geology 429 (2022), Art.Nr.: 106076
ISSN: 0037-0738
DOI: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2021.106076
Salomon E., Caracciolo L., Stollhofen H., Bonnell L., Lander RH., Kittel M.:
The impact of Etendeka flood basalts on the diagenesis of the fluvio-aeolian Jurassic Etjo Formation, Namibia
The impacts of volcanism on sedimentary basins and their energy resources (The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly London, 8. September 2022 - 9. September 2022)
Vargas CA., Caracciolo L., Ball PJ.:
Geothermal energy as a means to decarbonize the energy mix of megacities
In: Communications Earth & Environment 3 (2022)
ISSN: 2662-4435
DOI: 10.1038/s43247-022-00386-w
Walsh E., Caracciolo L., Ravidà D., Burrough S., Thomas D.:
Holocene fluvial depositional regimes of the Huab River, Skeleton Coast, Namibia
In: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms (2022)
ISSN: 0197-9337
DOI: 10.1002/esp.5349

2016

Henares S, Caracciolo L, Viseras C, Fernandez J, Yeste LM:
Diagenetic constraints on heterogeneous reservoir quality assessment: A Triassic outcrop analog of meandering fluvial reservoirs
In: Aapg Bulletin 100 (2016), S. 1377-1398
ISSN: 0149-1423
DOI: 10.1306/04041615103
Caracciolo L, Orlando A, Marchev P, Critelli S, Manetti P, Raycheva R, Riley D:
Provenance of Tertiary volcanoclastic sediment in NW Thrace (Bulgaria): Evidence from detrital amphibole and pyroxene geochemistry
In: Sedimentary Geology 336 (2016), S. 120-137
ISSN: 0037-0738
DOI: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2016.01.026
Perri F., Caracciolo L., Cavalcante F., Corrado S., Critelli S., Muto F., Dominici R.:
Sedimentary and thermal evolution of the Eocene-Oligocene mudrocks from the southwestern Thrace Basin (NE Greece)
In: Basin Research 28 (2016), S. 319-339
ISSN: 0950-091X
DOI: 10.1111/bre.12112
Caracciolo L., Garzanti E., von Eynatten H., Weltje G.:
Sediment generation and provenance: Processes and pathways
In: Sedimentary Geology 336 (2016), S. 1-2
ISSN: 0037-0738
DOI: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2016.03.015
von Eynatten H, Tolosana-Delgado R, Karius V, Bachmann K, Caracciolo L:
Sediment generation in humid Mediterranean setting: Grain-size and source-rock control on sediment geochemistry and mineralogy (Sila Massif, Calabria)
In: Sedimentary Geology 336 (2016), S. 68-80
ISSN: 0037-0738
DOI: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2015.10.008

2015

Caracciolo L., Critelli S., Cavazza W., Meinhold G., von Eynatten H., Manetti P.:
The Rhodope Zone as a primary sediment source of the southern Thrace basin (NE Greece and NW Turkey): evidence from detrital heavy minerals and implications for central-eastern Mediterranean palaeogeography
In: International Journal of Earth Sciences 104 (2015), S. 815-832
ISSN: 1437-3254
DOI: 10.1007/s00531-014-1111-9

2014

Ingersoll RV, Pratt MJ, Davis PM, Caracciolo L, Day PP, Hayne PO, Petrizzo DA, Gingrich DA, Cavazza W, Critelli S, Diamond DS, Coffey KT, Stang DM, Hoyt JF, Reith RC, Hendrix ED:
Paleotectonics of a complex Miocene half graben formed above a detachment fault: The Diligencia basin, Orocopia Mountains, southern California
In: Lithosphere 6 (2014), S. 157-176
ISSN: 1941-8264
DOI: 10.1130/L334.1
Caracciolo L., Arribas J., Ingersoll R., Critelli S.:
The diagenetic destruction of porosity in plutoniclastic petrofacies: The Miocene Diligencia and Eocene Maniobra formations, Orocopia Mountains, southern California, USA
Geological Society of London, 2014
DOI: 10.1144/SP386.9
Henares S., Caracciolo L., Cultrone G., Fernández J., Viseras C.:
The role of diagenesis and depositional facies on pore system evolution in a Triassic outcrop analogue (SE Spain)
In: Marine and Petroleum Geology 51 (2014), S. 136-151
ISSN: 0264-8172
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2013.12.004

2013

Caracciolo L., Gramigna P., Critelli S., Calzona A., Russo F.:
Petrostratigraphic analysis of a Late Miocene mixed siliciclastic-carbonate depositional system (Calabria, Southern Italy): Implications for Mediterranean paleogeography
In: Sedimentary Geology (2013), S. 117-132
ISSN: 0037-0738
DOI: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2012.12.002
Cavazza W, Caracciolo L, Critelli S, d'Atri A, Zuffa GG:
Petrostratigraphic evolution of the Thrace Basin (Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey) within the context of Eocene-Oligocene post-collisional evolution of the Vardar-Izmir-Ankara suture zone
In: Geodinamica Acta 26 (2013), S. 12-26
ISSN: 0985-3111
DOI: 10.1080/09853111.2013.858943
Caracciolo L, Critelli S, Innocenti F, Kolios N, Manetti P:
Reply to the Discussion by Maravelis and Zelilidis on "Unravelling provenance from Eocene-Oligocene sandstones of the Thrace Basin, North-east Greece" by Caracciolo etal. (2011), Sedimentology, 58, 1988-2011.
In: Sedimentology 60 (2013), S. 865-869
ISSN: 0037-0746
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3091.2012.01368.x

2012

Ietto F., Le Pera E., Caracciolo L.:
Geomorphology and sand provenance of the Tyrrhenian coast between Capo Suvero and Gizzeria (Calabria, southern Italy)
In: Rendiconti Online Societa Geologica Italiana 21 (2012), S. 487-488
ISSN: 2035-8008
URL: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=84872284724&origin=inward
Caracciolo L., Tolosana-Delgado R., Le Pera E., von Eynatten H., Arribas J., Tarquini S.:
Influence of granitoid textural parameters on sediment composition: Implications for sediment generation
In: Sedimentary Geology 280 (2012), S. 93-107
ISSN: 0037-0738
DOI: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2012.07.005
Caracciolo L, von Eynatten H, Tolosana-Delgado R, Critelli S, Manetti P, Marchev P:
PETROLOGICAL, GEOCHEMICAL, AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF EOCENE-OLIGOCENE SANDSTONES OF THE WESTERN THRACE BASIN, GREECE AND BULGARIA
In: Journal of Sedimentary Research 82 (2012), S. 482-498
ISSN: 1527-1404
DOI: 10.2110/jsr.2012.31
Tangari A., Andò S., Caracciolo L., Garzanti E., Le Pera E., Scarciglia F.:
Weathering of crystalline bedrock in Sila Massif and Catena Costiera (Calabria, southern Italy)
In: Rendiconti Online Societa Geologica Italiana 21 (2012), S. 1218-1220
ISSN: 2035-8008
URL: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=84872313127&origin=inward

2011

Caracciolo L, Le Pera E, Muto F, Perri F:
Sandstone petrology and mudstone geochemistry of the Peruc-Korycany Formation (Bohemian Cretaceous Basin, Czech Republic)
In: International Geology Review 53 (2011), S. 1003-1031
ISSN: 0020-6814
DOI: 10.1080/00206810903429011
Caracciolo L, Critelli S, Innocenti F, Kolios N, Manetti P:
Unravelling provenance from Eocene-Oligocene sandstones of the Thrace Basin, North-east Greece
In: Sedimentology 58 (2011), S. 1988-2011
ISSN: 0037-0746
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3091.2011.01248.x

Dr. Luca Caracciolo