Sedimentary Rocks in the Field

by Stow

• ISBN13: 9780123694515
• ISBN10: 0123694515
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-03-30
• Publisher: ROUTLEDGE

Summary

Sediments and sedimentary rocks cover 70% of the Earth's surface, and make up a significant portion of the geological record. Understanding the processes (physical, chemical and biological) that lead to formation of sedimentary material is key in disciplines ranging from geology to environmental science to archaeology. But before interpretation must come observation and identification: Stow's Field Guide is a must-have for this distinctly visual process Professor Stow has culled his extensive research experience into a succinct guide designed for students and professionals in geophysics, geochemistry, paleontology, soil sciences, environmental sciences and more. Sections on field techniques and reader-friendly descriptions also make this guide accessible to amateur geologists. * More than 400 color photographs and diagrams * Extensive cross-referencing for ease of use in the field * Examples from more than 30 countries * Focus on economic applications

Table of Contents

Preface	p. 6
Acknowledgments	p. 7
Overview	p. 8
About this book	p. 8
Classification of sedimentary rocks	p. 9
Economic studies	p. 10
Field Techniques	p. 12
Safety in the field	p. 12
Field equipment	p. 13
General approach and field notebook	p. 14
Basic measurements and data records	p. 14
Field sketches and logs	p. 18
Paleocurrent and paleoslope analysis	p. 23
Stratigraphic procedure and way-up criteria	p. 25
Other techniques	p. 27
Principal Characteristics of Sedimentary Rocks	p. 28
Introduction and facies concept	p. 28
Bedding and lamination	p. 29
Field photographs	p. 31
Erosional structures	p. 34
Field photographs	p. 36
Depositional structures	p. 41
Field photographs: parallel lamination and stratification	p. 43
Field photographs: wavy and lenticular lamination, cross-lamination and stratification	p. 47
Field photographs: graded beds and structural sequences	p. 61
Post-depositional deformation and dewatering structures	p. 68
Field photographs: slides, slumps, and chaotica	p. 70
Field photographs: deformed bedding and shale clasts	p. 79
Field photographs: water escape and desiccation structures	p. 82
Biogenic sedimentary structures	p. 86
Field photographs: bioturbation and biogenic structures	p. 92
Chemogenic sedimentary structures	p. 100
Field photographs	p. 104
Sediment texture and fabric	p. 109
Sediment composition	p. 115
Hand-lens photographs	p. 118
Fossils	p. 120
Sediment colour	p. 121
Conglomerates	p. 126
Definition and range of types	p. 126
Principal sedimentary characteristics	p. 127
Classification of conglomerates	p. 130
Occurrence	p. 130
Field photographs	p. 130
Sandstones	p. 138
Definition and range of types	p. 138
Principal sedimentary characteristics	p. 139
Classification of sandstones	p. 141
Occurrence	p. 142
Field photographs	p. 143
Mudrocks	p. 150
Definition and range of types	p. 150
Principal sedimentary characteristics	p. 151
Classification of mudrocks	p. 153
Occurrence	p. 155
Field photographs	p. 155
Carbonate Rocks	p. 164
Definition and range of types	p. 164
Principal sedimentary characteristics	p. 165
Classification of carbonate rocks	p. 169
Principal characteristics of dolomites	p. 170
Occurrence	p. 170
Field photographs	p. 171
Cherts and Siliceous Sediments	p. 184
Definition and range of types	p. 184
Principal sedimentary characteristics	p. 185
Occurrence	p. 186
Field photographs	p. 187
Phosphorites	p. 192
Definition and range of types	p. 192
Principal sedimentary characteristics	p. 193
Occurrence	p. 194
Field photographs	p. 194
Coal and Oil	p. 198
Definition and range of types	p. 198
Principal sedimentary characteristics	p. 199
Occurrence	p. 202
Field photographs	p. 203
Evaporites	p. 208
Definition and range of types	p. 208
Principal sedimentary characteristics	p. 209
Occurrence	p. 211
Field photographs	p. 211
Ironstones	p. 218
Definition and range of types	p. 218
Principal sedimentary characteristics	p. 219
Occurrence	p. 221
Field photographs	p. 221
Soils, Paleosols, and Duricrusts	p. 230
Definition and range of types	p. 230
Principal sedimentary characteristics	p. 231
Field photographs	p. 233
Volcaniclastic Sediments	p. 238
Definition and range of types	p. 238
Principal sedimentary characteristics	p. 239
Occurrence	p. 242
Field photographs	p. 243
Interpretations and Depositional Environments	p. 254
Building blocks	p. 254
Facies characteristics and models	p. 255
Facies sequences and cycles	p. 257
Lateral trends and geometry	p. 258
Architectural elements and facies associations	p. 259
Sequence stratigraphy and bounding surfaces	p. 259
Field photographs: cycles, geometry, and unconformities	p. 263
Sediment interpretation in cores	p. 272
Core photographs	p. 270
Controls, rates, and preservation	p. 272
Depositional environments	p. 273
Field photographs: alluvial-fluvial environments	p. 274
Field photographs: desert-eolian environments	p. 275
Field photographs: glacial environments	p. 276
Field photographs: deltaic environments	p. 277
Field photographs: volcaniclastic environments	p. 279
Field photographs: shallow marine clastic environments	p. 279
Field photographs: marine evaporites and carbonates	p. 281
Field photographs: deep marine environments	p. 283
Tables: diagnostic features	p. 287
References and Key Texts	p. 298
Metric-Imperial Conversions	p. 300
Index	p. 301
Appendices
Stratigraphic timescale	p. 314
Mapping symbols	p. 317
Grain-size comparator chart	p. 318
Sediment description checklist	p. 318
Wulff stereonet	p. 319
Lambert equal-area projection	p. 320
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