9/8/2014

Sedimentary Rocks

Lecture 1: Overview of course content;

Origin of Sediment

Sedimentary Rocks used in…

 Petroleum exploration/exploitation

 Environmental geology

 Remote sensing (soils analysis)

 Marine geology

 Paleoclimatology

 Engineering (materials testing)

Thin section

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Thin section

Thin section

Why study sediments?

Sedimentary rocks make up only 7.9% of the Earth’s crust.

Relative abundance of
rocks in the earth’s crust

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66% of the surface of the Earth is covered by sediment or

sedimentary rocks.

Humans interact with the Earth largely at or near its surface.

Relative abundance of Relative abundance of

rocks in the earth’s crust rocks in the earth’s Surface

They…..
Grow food on it.

Build structures on it. Take resources from it.

Sedimentary rocks record the history of changing environments on

Earth.

Based on the traces of changing environments over time, as preserved

in the rock record.

Environmental interpretation of rocks

+
Age of rocks

= Earth History

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Sedimentary Rocks
• Sedimentary rocks form at low temperatures and
pressures.

• Sedimentary rocks are characterized particularly by the

presence of layers and by distinctive textures and
structures.

• Many sedimentary rocks are also distinguished by their

mineral, chemical compositions and fossil content.

• They have special genetic significance because their

textures, structures, composition, and fossil content reveal
the nature of past surface environments and life forms on
Earth.

Grades Distribution

• Quiz 1 15%

• Quiz 2 15%

• Lab 30%

• Final Exam 40%

Origin of sediment
 Siliciclastic (reworked stuff)

 Volcaniclastic (primary deposition)

 Carbonate (in situ mostly biogenic)

 Chemical (evaporite/hydrothermal)

 Organic (coals)

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Alluvial fans

Rivers (Braided & Meandering)

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Beaches

Swamps

Reefs