LABORATORY SIX –Sedimentary rocks, Processes, and Environments

Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology by The American Geological Institute (AGI) and the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT); Richard M. Busch, Editor; 6th Edition, 2003.

SEDIMENTS

ORIGINAL SOURCE

WEATHERING (Chemical and physical (mechanical))

SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

TEXTURES

-CLASTIC

GRAIN SHAPE

DEGREE OF ROUNDNESS (rounded to angular)

GRAIN SIZE (gravel, sand, silt, clay)

DEGREE OF SORTING (well sorted to poorly sorted)

-CRYSTALLINE or MICROCRYSTALLINE

COMPOSITION

BIOCHEMICAL (ORGANIC)

CHEMICAL

DETRITAL (CLASTIC)

SEDIMENTARY ROCK PROCESSES

COMPACTATION

CEMENTATION

PRECIPITATION

SEDIMENTARY ROCK CLASSIFICATION (based on texture and mineral composition; Figure 6.8, p. 101)

DETRITAL (CLASTIC

BIOCHEMICAL

CHEMICAL

Sedimentary Structures

Stratification (lamination or bed)

Ripple marks

Raindrop impressions

Cross-stratification or Cross-bedding

Flutes

Graded Bedding

Mudcracks

Sedimentary Environments (Characteristic sediments, structures, and fossils; Figure 6.12, pp. 108-109)

Stratigraphic sequence

IGNEOUS ROCKS METAMORPHIC ROCKS