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16 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Stratigraphy
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Examines the distribution of sedimentary rocks in time and space.
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Sedimentology
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The study of sedimentary rocks, their classification, origin, and interpretation, and the process by which sediment is produced, transported, and deposited.
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What are the main categories (end members) of sedimentary rocks?
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Siliclastic sedimentary rocks
Biogenic (biochemical, organic) sedimentary rocks Chemical sedimentary rocks Other sedimentary rocks |
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Siliclastic sedimentary rocks
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form from decomposition of rocks and consists of rock-forming minerals like quartz and felspar and clays.
Epiclastic, detrital, or terrigenous Examples: congolmerate and breccia, sandstone, mudrock. |
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Chemical sedimentary rocks
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Formed from chemical decomposition of pre-existing rock.
Form evaporates, BIFs, etc. |
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Biogenic (biochemical, organic) sedimentary rocks
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Rock produced by organic activity or modifies existing rock.
Examples: Carbonates, chert, and phosphate rock. |
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Other sedimentary rocks
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Produced by processes other than physical and chemical weathering of pre-existing rocks.
Example: Pyroclastic, meteoritics, cataclastic (from collapse or tectonism). |
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What volume of Earth’s surface consists of sediments and sedimentary rocks?
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75% above sea level, 90% below sea level.
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What unique information about Earth’s history can be wrung from sedimentary rocks?
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Location of economic riches (hydrocarbons, phosphate deposits), location of ground water, record of life on Earth. Depositional history.
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Provenance
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Characteristics of sedimentary source area (composition, location, relief.
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Lithification
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Process by which loose, unconsolidated sediment is altered into a cohesive sediment.
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Weathering
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The erosion of pre-existing rock.
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What does the concept of ‘source to sink’ mean in the context of sedimentary rocks?
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Cradle to grave. Area of rock origin to area of final deposition, and everything inbetween.
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Immature
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Little transport; large, more angular, less spherical grains.
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Mature
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Little transport; smaller, more rounded, more spherical grains.
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Does sedimentary maturity apply to all kinds of sedimentary rocks?
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Maturation will differ depending on factors like density of the material and the weathering factors. Not all rocks will display maturity, e.g., some will dissolve.
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