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1/2/2014 Geology 3153 Part 1. 1

Geology 3153:Sedimentary Rocks and Processes.

Instructor: Dr. Dennis R. Kerr, Associate Professor of Geosciences

Welcome.

Please pick up Course Business and Syllabus Handout.

Please pick up, fill out and return Student Questionnaire Handout.

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1/2/2014 Geology 3153 Part 1. 2

Part 1. Introduction.

1A. Course Business.

1B. Overview of Sedimentary Rocks.

1C. The Generic Sedimentary Rock.

1D. Sedimentary Rocks and the Geologic Time Scale.

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1/2/2014 Geology 3153 Part 1. 3

Part 1. Introduction.

1A. Course Business.

1B. Overview of Sedimentary Rocks.

1C. The Generic Sedimentary Rock.

1D. Sedimentary Rocks and the Geologic Time Scale.

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1/2/2014 Geology 3153 Part 1. 4

Part 1. Introduction.

1A. Course Business.

Review course business handout.

Review course syllabus handout.

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1/2/2014 Geology 3153 Part 1. 5

Part 1. Introduction.

1A. Course Business.

How to do well in this course:

keep in mind that this is a Junior-level course;

attend lectures; pay attention; take notes;

preview lecture notes;

review lecture notes

consider working in a study group

utilize resources of Student Center for Academic Support;

ask questions (in class, during office hours, or by email).

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1/2/2014 Geology 3153 Part 1. 6

Part 1. Introduction.

1A. Course Business.

1B. Overview of Sedimentary Rocks.

1C. The Generic Sedimentary Rock.

1D. Sedimentary Rocks and the Geologic Time Scale.

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1/2/2014 Geology 3153 Part 1. 7

Part 1. Introduction.

1B. Overview of Sedimentary Rocks.

Why are sediments and sedimentary rocks of interest?

Natural resources:

energy, water, metal and nonmetal resources

Environmental concerns:

contaminant plumes, landfills, natural hazards and land use

Earths terrestrial and marine deep-time history

paleogeography, paleoclimate and paleoceanography

record interaction atmosphere, biosphere and geosphere

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1/2/2014 Geology 3153 Part 1. 8

Part 1. Introduction.

1B. Overview of Sedimentary Rocks.

Recall from Rock Cycle that sediments and sedimentary rocks formfrom:

pre-existing rocks through weathering and transport particlesclastic sedimentary rocks (e.g. sandstone)

direct chemical precipitationchemical sedimentary rocks (e.g. gypsum)

biologically mediated chemical precipitationbiochemical sedimentary rocks (e.g. most limestones)

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1/2/2014 Geology 3153 Part 1. 9

Part 1. Introduction.

1B. Overview of Sedimentary Rocks.

The Rock Cycle

Note:linking processesare important.

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1/2/2014 Geology 3153 Part 1. 10

Part 1. Introduction.

1B. Overview of Sedimentary Rocks.

What are the over-arching goals for this course?

appreciate the processes responsible for the formation ofsediments and sedimentary rocks;

understand the terminology and classification used;

introduce topic of stratigraphy;

demonstrate practical applications.

hence: Sedimentary Rocks and Processes.

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1/2/2014 Geology 3153 Part 1. 11

Part 1. Introduction.

1A. Course Business.

1B. Overview of Sedimentary Rocks.

1C. The Generic Sedimentary Rock.

1D. Sedimentary Rocks and the Geologic Time Scale.

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1/2/2014 Geology 3153 Part 1. 12

Part 1. Introduction.

1C. The Generic Sedimentary Rock.

All sedimentary rocks are made up of one or more fundamentalcomponents:

Framework Grainscapable of supporting lithostatic load

Matrix Grainsgenerally not capable of supporting lithostatic load(i.e. collapse quickly with burial)

Cementsminerals or mineralloids precipitated in rock voids

Poresrock voids including fluids contained therein

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1/2/2014 Geology 3153 Part 1. 13

Part 1. Introduction.

1C. The Generic Sedimentary Rock.

A view through a microscope.

Framework Grain

Matrix Grains

Cement

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1/2/2014 Geology 3153 Part 1. 14

Part 1. Introduction.

1C. The Generic Sedimentary Rock.

SedimentaryRock Framework Matrix Cement Pore

Sandstones abundant rare common common

Mudrocks rare abundant rare rare

Limestones common abundant common common

Gyprocks common rare common rare

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1/2/2014 Geology 3153 Part 1. 16

Part 1. Introduction.

1D. Sedimentary Rocks and the Geologic Time Scale.

Key points:

hierarchical organization

distinction made between

geologic time intervals

rocks representing geologictime interval

boundaries established by

radiometric age dates

Ma = milliannum

major Earth events