This module covers the physical characteristics of the major environments of deposition of the main types of siliciclastic, carbonate and evaporitic sediments and the processes involved with their deposition. It takes account of the different types of sedimentary basin in which they accumulate and the large-scale controls. Links are made between modern sedimentary environments and those preserved in the stratigraphic record especially through the application of sedimentary facies analysis. Where appropriate emphasis is placed on the techniques employed for the study of sedimentary rocks in the field and laboratory. The module covers the processes and products of diagenesis of siliciclastic and carbonate sediments.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Describe in technical detail the physical characteristics of sedimentary rocks from microscope to field scale for a range of sedimentary systems and record these data in appropriate ways including graphically;
Infer 3-dimensional environments from available data;
Evaluate the role of base-level shifts as a control on the spatial and temporal variations in depositional systems;
Log, describe and interpret facies in core;
Describe quantitatively the mineral composition of sedimentary rocks in thin section;
Identify, describe and interpret diagenetic processes and products in thin section and their influence on the generation of porosity and permeability.