Sedimentary Rocks in the Field

Preface.

Acknowledgement.

1 Introduction.

Tools of the Trade.

Other Tools for the Field.

Use of GPS in Sedimentary Studies.

Safety in the Field and General Guidance for Fieldwork.

2 Field Techniques.

What to Look for.

The Approach.

Field Notes.

Graphic Logs.

The Logging of Cores.

Lithofacies Codes.

Collecting Specimens.

Presentation of Results.

The Way-Up of Sedimentary Strata.

Stratigraphic Practice.

3 Sedimentary Rock Types.

Principal Lithological Groups

Sandstones.

Conglomerates and Breccias.

Mudrocks.

Limestones.

Evaporites.

Ironstones.

Cherts.

Sedimentary Phosphate Deposits (Phosphorites).

Organic-Rich Deposits.

Volcaniclastic Deposits.

4 Sedimentary Rock Texture.

Introduction.

Sediment Grain Size and Sorting.

Grain Morphology.

Sediment Fabric.

Textural Maturity.

Texture of Conglomerates and Breccias.

Induration and Degree of Weathering.

Colour of Sedimentary Rocks.

5 Sedimentary Structures and Geometry of Sedimentary Deposits.

Introduction.

Erosional Structures.

Depositional Structures.

Depositional Structures of Limestones (Including Dolomites).

Post-Depositional Sedimentary Structures.

Biogenic Sedimentary Structures.

Geometry of Sedimentary Deposits and Lateral Facies Changes.

6 Fossils in the Field.

Introduction.

Fossil Distribution and Preservation.

Fossil Associations and Diversity.

Skeletal Diagenesis.

7 Palaeocurrent Analysis.

Introduction.

Palaeocurrent Measurements.

Structures for Palaeocurrent Measurement.

Presentation of Results and Calculation of Vector Means.

Interpretation of the Palaeocurrent Pattern.

8 What Next? Facies Analysis, Cycles and Sequences.

Introduction.

Facies Analysis.

Facies Models and Depositional Environments.

Cycle Stratigraphy and Sequence Stratigraphy.

References and Further Reading.

Index.