Geos 421 – Sedimentology
Lectures: Mon., Wed., - 9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Lab: Mon. 2:00-5:00 PM
Instructor: Paul McCarthy
Office: 336 NSF
Phone: 474-6894
E-mail: mccarthy@gi.alaska.edu
Office hours: Wednesday 3:00-5:00 PM
Text:
Leeder, M.R. (1999). Sedimentology and Sedimentary Basins: from turbulence to
tectonics. Blackwell Science, London.
Other useful references:
Tucker, M. E. (2003). Sedimentary Rocks in the Field (3rd edition). John Wiley & Sons,
New York.
Boggs, S. (2001). Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (3rd edition). Prentice
Hall, New York.
Miall, A.D. (2000) Principles of Sedimentary Basin Analysis (3rd edition). SpringerVerlag, Berlin.
Allen, P.A. (1997). Earth Surface Processes. Blackwell Science, London.
Walker, R.G. and James, N.P. (1992) Facies models: response to sea level change.
Geological Association of Canada, St. John’s.
Introduction:
Sedimentology is the scientific study of the classification, origin, dispersal,
diagenesis and interpretation of sedimentary rocks. From the fossils, textures and
structures in sedimentary rocks, geologists can decipher clues that provide insight into
past climates, the configuration of ancient continents and mountain chains, and the
distribution of ocean environments and ecosystems. Sedimentary rocks are also
economically significant, forming important hosts for oil, gas, coal uranium, gypsum and,
increasingly, water! The goal of this course is to provide you with a basic understanding
of sedimentary processes, structures and environments so that you are able to
accurately interpret sedimentary environments from rocks.
Evaluation:
Mid-term #1 - 15%
Mid-term #2 - 15%
Lab assignments - 15%
Research paper - 15%
Seminar - 10%
Final exam - 30%
Tentative Lecture Outline
January 25 (W)
Production of clastic
sediment - weathering
January 30 (M)
Weathering rates &
products of weathering
January 30 - Lab 1
Weathering trends
Leeder p. 15-33
Leeder p. 33-42
February 1 (W)
Particle transport by fluids
Leeder p. 123-144
February 6 (M)
Leeder p. 145-160
February 13 (M)
Unidirectional current flows
and bedforms
Grain properties &
sedimentary textures
Sediment transport by
waves
Sediment gravity flows
February 13 - Lab 3
Clastic sedimentary rocks
February 15 (W)
Sedimentary structures
February 20 (M)
Sedimentary structures
February 20 - Lab 4
Grain size analysis
February 22 (W)
February 27 (M)
Chemical & biochemical
sedimentary rocks
Diagenesis
February 27
Mid-term #1
March 1 (W)
Alluvial fans & fan deltas
Leeder p. 330-339
March 6 (M)
Rivers
Leeder p. 307-329
March 6 - Lab 5
Sedimentary processes
March 8 (W)
Deltas
March 13 (M)
Spring break - no class
March 13 -
Spring break – no class
March 15 (W)
Spring break - no class
February 6 - Lab 2
February 8 (W)
Leeder p. 176-193
Leeder p. 201-225
Leeder p. 43-76
Leeder p. 383-397
March 20 (M)
Estuaries
March 20 – Lab 6
Sedimentary structures
March 22 (W)
Eolian environments
Leeder p. 295-306
March 27 (M)
Lacustrine environments
Leeder p. 340-356
March 27 - Lab 7
March 29 (W)
Carbonate sedimentary
rocks
Linear clastic shorelines
Leeder p. 398-413
April 3 (M)
Continental shelves
Leeder p. 444-464
April 3 - Lab 9
Analysis of mudrocks
April 5 (W)
Ocean basin sedimentation Leeder p. 465-496
April 10 (M)
Carbonate shorelines,
shelves and basins
Mid-term #2
Leeder p. 414-443
Glacial sedimentary
environments
Sea level and sedimentary
sequences
Basin mapping methods
Leeder p. 357-370
April 10
April 12 (W)
April 17 (M)
April 17 - Lab 11
April 19 (W)
April 24 (M)
Research papers due
Leeder p. 371-382
Leeder p. 258-266
Tectonics and
Leeder p. 267-294
Sedimentation
Climate and Sedimentation Leeder p. 237-257
April 24
Seminar presentations
April 26 (W)
Subsidence and deposition Leeder p. 497-506
May 1 (M)
Sedimentology in
sedimentary basins
Field trip – measuring
sedimentary rocks in
outcrop
Review
May 1- Lab 13 – weekend
trip (TBA)
May 3 (W)
Final exam – Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 8-10 a.m.
Leeder p. 507-530