SEDIMENTOLOGY
GEOL*4090
Prerequisites:
GEOL*2020 & GEOL*2150
1. Logistics, marking scheme
2. List of lectures/seminars
1. Logistics,
marking scheme
Objectives of Course: The
course is designed to
1.
Provide an up-to-date modern summary of information, concepts and hypotheses
concerning sediments and sedimentary rocks.
2.
Gain an understanding of the processes involved in the formation of sedimentary
rocks so that interpretation of the environments of deposition of recent and
ancient rocks can be made. Major
emphasis will be on clastic sediments.
3.
Outline the principles of environmental sedimentology through the use of case
histories.
Major
objectives of the field and laboratory exercises are to learn field techniques,
to interpret paleoenvironments and paleohydrologic properties of sedimentary
sequences, and to assess the interaction between human activities and geological
processes.
Most
labs until the weather permits will be field trips, which are designed to allow
students to test their understanding, initiative and patience. Depending on the
wishes of the class and scheduling, Saturday trips may take the place of two
lab periods. Every second lab a report must be written (or reported orally to
the class) on the analysis of an environment of sedimentation, or a sequence of
sediments or rocks. At first it
can be a frustrating experience, until one has learned what to do and how to do
things. The reward is that what is
learned by "doing" will not be forgotten.
Textbooks: Prothero, D.R. and Schwab, F., 1996. Sedimentary
Geology, W.H. Freeman and Co., New York, 575 pp.
Method of evaluation:
At
discretion of class, to be decided during first week of lectures. A final
examination will be required.
PROPOSED MARKING SCHEME:
1.
Lab. reports ......... (40)
3.
Final exam .........
(30)
4.
Mid-term exam ......... (30)
2. List of Lecture‑Seminar and Laboratory Topics
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I 01
Introduction,
Definitions, History of sedimentology, Organization of course, why study
sedimentology,
materials of Sedimentology,
Source, dispersal, composition, classification
02 Texture vs fabric, grain size, and review of
statistical methods
03 Summary
LAB 1 RECOGNITION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MINERALS AND
SANDSTONE
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II 04 Grain
shape, roundness and surface textures
05
Fabric:
orientation
06 Fabric: packing
LAB 2 FLUVIAL RECENT ENVIRONMENT: THE GRAND RIVER
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III 07 Introduction to environmental analysis, concept of
facies, Walther's Law
08 Texture: within sample variability
09 Review, introduction to field trip
LAB 3 RECENT BEACH ENVIRONMENT: HAMILTON
*Possible Saturday field trip in
substitution of labs.2, 3
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IV 10 Discussion of field trip
11 Texture : between sample variability
12 Transport of sediments
LAB 4 PLEISTOCENE ENVIRONMENT 1
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V 13 Holiday
14 Transport of sediments Transport: primary
sedimentary structures.
*Possible Saturday field trip in
substitution of labs. 4,5
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VI 16 Discussion of field trip-
Introduction to laboratory experiment
17 Transport, discussion laboratory experiment
18 Midterm Test (during class, Fri. Oct. 20)
LAB 5 PLEISTOCENE ENVIRONMENT 2
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VII 19 Sedimentary
structures
20 Concept
of facies
21 Braided
and anastomosing streams
LAB 6 FLUME EXPERIMENT
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VIII 22 Meandering
stream
23 Delta
24 Introduction to field trip,
principles of stratigraphy
LAB 7 PALEOZOIC ROCKS: NIAGARA ESCARPMENT
*Possible Saturday field trip in
substitution of labs. 7, 8
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IX 25 Discussion
of field trip
26 Delta (film)
27 Coastal environments,
barrier beach, lagoon
LAB 8 PALEOZOIC ROCKS: NIAGARA ESCARPMENT
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X 28 Shelf
environments, clastics
29 Turbidite
environment, experiment
30 Turbidite
fan
LAB 9 CORE ANALYSIS: SILURIAN ROCKS, an introduction
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XI 31
Oceanic
deposits
32 Aeolian
environment
33 Carbonate
environment
LAB 10 CORE ANALYSIS: SILURIAN ROCKS
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XII 34 Carbonate
environment
35 Carbonate environment
36 Review
of course
LAB 11 CARBONATE ROCKS AND POROSITY
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A FEW USEFUL BOOKS :
Allen, J.R.L., 1970, Physical processes
of sedimentation. American
Elsevier Co., 248 p.
Boggs, S. Jr., 1995 Principles of
Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Prentice Hall, N.Y., 774p.
Folk,
R.L., 1968 or 1980, Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks.
Leader,
M. R., 1982, Sedimentology, G. Allen & Unwin
Lewis,
D. W., 1984, Practical Sedimentology
Pye,
K., 1994, Sediment transport and Depositional Processes
Reading,
H.G., 1996, Sedimentary Environments and Facies
Reineck, H.E. and Singh, I.B., 1980,
Depositional Sedimentary Environments, Springer-Verlag, N.Y., 439 p.
Walker,
R.G. and James, N. P., Facies Models, Geol. Assoc. of Canada