GEOLOGY STUDY GUIDE
Module exam GL1 June 2004
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
Geology Department, Greenhead College, Huddersfield.
Millstone Grit, Pule Hill Quarry, Marsden
Your name .....…………………….................................................
.........……………...........
Date
LEARNING TARGETS
margin
notes
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GEOLOGY STUDY GUIDE
Module exam GL1 June 2004
When you have completed this study guide, you will:
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Understand weathering processes and products
Know how sediments are transported, eroded and deposited in
environments of different energy levels
Understand that sediments become sedimentary rocks by the process
of diagenesis
Recognise sedimentary rocks and understand their texture and
composition
Study the deltaic environment of West Yorkshire during the
Carboniferous period
Know about sedimentary structures and their importance in identifying
environments of deposition of sediments
Have learnt the skill of geological field sketching of sedimentary
features.
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Module exam GL1 June 2004
Resources
Here is a choice of resources to use. You do not need to look at them all but clearly the more
you read the better your knowledge of case studies will be. Tick the box once you have used
the resource.
If you read a photocopied extract then highlight it to help you reread it for revision. If you make
notes from a video tape make sure that the notes are headed with the name of the tape so that
you know the source of your information.
 SED1
Understanding Geology David Webster p 64-78
 SED2
Geoscience Edwards and King p 79-98
 SED3
Geological Science by Andrew McLeish p 101-110
 SED4
Video Earth Revealed Weathering Tape 46 30mins
 SED5
Table to show what products result from weathering of igneous rocks
 SED6
Video From Snowdon to the Sea Tape 10 22mins with questions
 SED7
Sedimentary rock and environment specification notes
 SED8
Identification chart for common sedimentary rocks
 SED9
Table of sedimentary rocks, textures and environments
 SED10
Library Natural History Museum Restless Surface
 SED11
Library Eyewitness Visual Dictionary of the Earth
 SED12
Rocks and landscapes of Huddersfield Huddersfield Geology Group
 SED13
Video Interpreting sediments. Tapes 4 and 15 22mins
 SED14
Powerpoint on Weathering
 SED15
Powerpoint on Sedimentary Environments
 SED16
Powerpoint on Sedimentary Structures
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Websites
www.science.ubc.ca/~geol202/sed/sili/silihome.html
www.science.ubc/ca/~geol202/sed/carb/carbhome.html
www.palaeo.de/edu/JRP/JRP_english1.html
www.bbc.co.uk/education/rocks/index.shtml
www.huddersfieldgeology.org.uk/
There are other websites you could search.
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Margin notes
Module exam GL1 June 2004
ACTIVITY 1 : WEATHERING
TASK 1 DEFINITION
Weathering - the break down of rocks into fragments of rock or into
minerals in situ. In class you will learn how it is possible for rocks to
break down under the influence of the weather. In situ is an expression
that we use to mean in one place/situation.
TASK 2 WEATHERING PROCESSES
WEATHER, CLIMATE AND WEATHERING – how are they connected with
each other?
In class we will examine the effectiveness and types of weathering that
might occur in different situations of climate and rock type. Answer these
questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
How does weather affect ultrabasic rocks such as peridotite?
How does weather affect basic rocks such as gabbro and basalt?
How does weather affect acid rocks such as granite?
How does weather in temperate climates affect rocks?
How does weather in tropical arid climates affect rocks?
How does weather affect rocks made of CaCO3, such as chalk and
limestone?
Now watch video SED 4 or powerpoint SED14 and make notes.
TASK 3 WEATHERING PROCESSES
Now you understand weathering, make notes from the textbooks to help
you learn some details.
1. Use SED 1 p 42 to write down the definitions of physical, chemical
and biological weathering.
2. Learn more details by making notes about the following processes
from SED 1 p 43-44, SED 2 p 80 and SED 3 p 67-68. You will need to
use all three textbooks to find enough information to write, in your own
words, an understandable description of these processes. You might
find that you need to read all three textbook sections first and then
summarise a description that makes good sense to you.
frost-shattering (freeze-thaw)
exfoliation (expansion-contraction)
oxidation
hydrolysis
carbonation
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GEOLOGY STUDY GUIDE
Module exam GL1 June 2004
Use this box for notes
Margin notes
TASK 4 WEATHERING PRODUCTS
Use SED 5 to describe which weathering products result from the
breakdown of different rocks and minerals and explain the weathering
process that has caused this. Discuss the ideas together so that you
develop high quality answers.
Use this box for notes
ACTIVITY 2 : SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
TASK 5 FROM SNOWDON TO THE SEA
Watch this video and answer the questions in SED 6 as an introduction to
the next topic.
TASK 6
TRANSPORT, EROSION AND DEPOSITION
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Module exam GL1 June 2004
Define transport, erosion and deposition.
Read the specification notes SED 7. These notes have been written so that
we can talk through the ideas in class, using the OHP and adding
diagrams. Have the specification notes on the desk in front of you with file
paper to add explanatory diagrams. Some people learn best from visual
notes, some from written notes and some from listening and talking.
Following Task 5 will enable all of you to make learning notes which suit
you best.
Be prepared to learn to draw diagrams accurately. All diagrams need to be
drawn in pencil and need labels and a scale. They need to be large
enough to show features clearly. Labels must be in neat handwriting,
preferably printing.
If there is anything you need to check up then read the relevant sections
from SED 1, SED 2 and SED 3 and add to your own notes.
TASK 7 DIAGENESIS OR LITHIFICATION
SED 2 p 85-86 has an excellent section on how sediments are converted
to rocks. Read this and write out Fig 5.19 on p86 which explains the main
processes of diagenesis.
Use this for notes
Margin notes
TASK 8
TEXTURE AND COMPOSITION OF SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
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GEOLOGY STUDY GUIDE
Module exam GL1 June 2004
You can now link texture and composition of rocks to deposition in different
environments. Chart 3 (SED 8) is an identification chart for common
sedimentary rocks. Highlight the sedimentary rocks that you need to know
for GL1. These are sandstone, arkose, greywacke, shale, limestone
(four different types), conglomerate and breccia.
Carry out a practical on each of the rocks, using the identification chart to
help you. Draw a large, labelled, scaled diagram in pencil of each
specimen you choose from the red trays. If you need to, use dilute
hydrochloric acid to decide if it is a limestone or a clastic rock If it is a
clastic rock use Table 16 at the foot of the page to measure the size of the
clasts or particles and therefore the correct terminology for the rock. You
will find a grain-size card useful for assessing grain-size of sandstones.
You should mention the following characteristics of sedimentary rocks:
Grain-size
mineralogy (if possible)
colour
grain shape
Structures, such as lamination Other features, like fossil fragments
Sorting (well-sorted or badly-sorted)
Date of test on sedimentary rock compositions and
textures………………………
TASK 9 KNOWLEDGE CHECK
Use the powerpoint SED 15 on Sedimentary Environments to give you an
image of the environments of deposition of sediments. Add any
information you need to which you have not seen in other resources.
Use this box for notes
ACTIVITY 3 : SEDIMENTARY STRUCTURES
TASK 101 FIELD SKETCHES OF SEDIMENTARY STRUCTURES
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Module exam GL1 June 2004
Look at the powerpoint SED16 of sedimentary structures to relate them to
the environment in which they were formed. We will draw field sketches
from the photos to illustrate their appearance in the Rock Record. For
each you need to be able to comment on whether the environment in
which they are found is high or low energy.
Here is a list of the sedimentary structures you should be able to recognise
and explain.
Bedding planes, cross bedding, graded bedding, laminations, mud
cracks, dune bedding, flute casts, ripple marks.
Margin notes
TASK 11 PRACTICAL ON SEDIMENTARY STRUCTURES
Look around the room and in the trays for examples of each of the
sedimentary structures listed above. Convince the rest of your group that
you know what it is and how it was formed.
TASK 12 HUDDERSFIELD POSTERS
Using the off-prints of the Huddersfield Guide to Rocks and Landscapes
produce a group poster to describe and explain the deltaic environment in
which the Millstone Grit and Coal Measures of the Carboniferous period
were deposited 300 million years ago.
Use this box for notes
ACTIVITY 4 : CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
TASK 13 KNOWLEDGE CHECK
Complete SED 9 to test your understanding of sedimentary rocks and
textures.
TASK 14 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Exercise SED 1 p78 and 79. Complete questions 1-10 for homework.
Deadline: ……………………………………………………….
TASK 15
GLOSSARY
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GEOLOGY STUDY GUIDE
Module exam GL1 June 2004
This topic is full of new terms which need defining. Write a list with their
definitions and learn them
Deadline for handing your glossary in:
……….………………………………..
TASK 16
EXAM QUESTION PACK
Complete the GL4 Sedimentary Rocks EQPs 1 and 2
Deadline: ……………………………………
TASK 17
PERSONAL RECORD SHEET
Complete a personal record sheet to check your understanding and your
skills learning.
Deadline: ……………………………………
Use this box for notes
ESTA GEOTREX The Geology Teachers Resource Exchange
Contributor: Alison Quarterman Establishment: Greenhead College Date:May 05
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GEOLOGY STUDY GUIDE
Module exam GL1 June 2004
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