Sedimentology 2(2-0) (GLO 3105)
Course Level:
2
Course Credit:
2 CU
Description:
This course deals with the scientific study of the classification, origin and interpretation of
sediments and sedimentary rocks. It is concerned with physical, chemical and biologic properties
of sedimentary rocks and the processes by which these properties are generated. It covers
weathering, transportation, deposition in continental, marine and polar environments, postdepositional processes and sedimentary structures.
Course Objectives:
At the end of this course students are expected to be able to:
1. Interpret the history of sediments and their depositional environments.
2. Explain the origin and history of sedimentary rocks.
3. Appreciate the importance of sedimentology in petroleum exploration and research.
Course Outline
Content
Hours
Weathering processes: Chemical and mechanical weathering processes in 6
humid, polar and desert environments. Soil formation. Sedimentary cycle.
Erosion and the agents of transport for sediments in humid, polar and desert 6
environments.
Deposition and depositional environments: rivers, lacustrine, marine and 10
deserts (Sabkas). Eustatic movements of the sea. Deposition in polar zones.
Post-depositional processes: Bioturbation, erosion and formation of hiatus, 8
diagenesis. Sedimentary structures
Importance of sedimentology in Petroleum exploration.
Mode of delivery
The course will be taught by using lectures, assignments, and tests.
Assessment
Assignments and tests
Final examination
30%
70%
Reading List:
 BLATT, H., MIDDLETON, G., & MURRAY, R., (1980). Origin of sedimentary rocks,
Prentice-Hall, Inc.
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BOGGS, S. Jr., (1995). Second Edition. Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy.
Prentice Hall Upper Saddle, New Jersey
CATT, J. A., (1986). Soils and Quaternary Geology: A Handbook for Field Scientists.
Clarendon Press, Oxford.
FRIEDMAN, G. M., & SANDERS J. E., (1978). Principles of sedimentology, John
Willey and sons.
KRUMBEIN, W. C. & SLOSS, L. L., (1963). Stratigraphy and Sedimentation. 2nd ed. W.
H. Freeman & Co., San Francisco.
LEEDER, M. R., (1982). Sedimentology. Processes and Product. George Allen & Unwin,
London.
MIALL, A. D., (1984). Principles of sedimentary basin analysis. Springer-Verlag, New
York.
RATALLACK, G. J., 1990. Soils of the Past. Unwin Hyman, Boston.
REINECK, H. E., & Singh, I. B., (1980). Second Edition. Depositional Sedimentary
Environments. Springer, New York.
SELLEY, R. C., (1994). Applied Sedimentology. Academic Press, London.
SELLEY, R. C., (1982). Introduction to Sedimentology. Academic Press, London
SELLEY, R. C., (1978). Ancient Sedimentary Environments. 2nd Edition Chapman, &
Hall, London.
SELLEY, R. C., (1978). Concepts and Methods of Subsurface Facies Analysis, Cornell
University Press, Ithaca, New York, 1-78p.
SELLEY, R. C., (1978). Ancient sedimentary environments. Cornell University Press.
Roberts, K. (2008): Global Sedimentology of the Ocean, An Interplay between
Geodynamics and Paleoenvironment. Elsevier