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Class Description: The purpose of this course is to provide an integrated overview of the sciences of sedimentology and stratigraphy. We will learn the following components: (1) Earth’s surficial processes that control and produce sediments and sedimentary rocks, (2) quantitative description and classification of sedimentary rocks, (3) spatial and temporal models for reconstructing depositional environments, (4) sedimentary sequences and their forming mechanisms, and (5) techniques (e.g., stable isotopes) useful for studying sedimentary rocks and exploring ancient seawater history. We will learn how to answer questions such as "What is the paleoenvironmental origin of sedimentary rocks? What controls their lateral and temporal variations? What information can we obtain from sedimentary rocks to reveal the ancient Earth history?
Class Background This class is designed for senior undergraduates majoring in geology and will integrate materials that you have learned in previous classes. You will demonstrate that you have acquired the requisite skills related to sedimentary geology and acquisition of appropriate writing skills by completing field-based reports, and other assignments and exams. Concurrent enrollment in the lab section is required.
Textbooks:
1. Required: Gary Nichols, 2004, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Blackwell Publishing Company, 355pp. ISBN: 0-632-03578-1
2. Recommended: Boggs, S., Jr., 2006, Principles of sedimentology and stratigraphy, 4th edition, Pearson Prentice Hall, 662pp. ISBN: 0-13-154728-3 (a copy is reserved in Lied Library)
Grading:
Class Attendance and Discussions...........10%
Midterm Exam........................................30%
Final Exam.............................................30%
Lab + research project............................30%
Final grades are assigned on a percentage basis: A = 100-90%, B = 89-80%, C = 79-70%, D = 69-60%, F = 59% or lower; +/- designations are used. Although I encourage you to study and work on projects together, you must turn in original work.
Class Schedule
|
Week |
Day |
Date |
Lecture Notes |
Lecture slides |
Reading |
|
1 |
T |
Jan-12 |
Class Intro, Intro to Sedimentary Processes and Sedimentary Rocks |
Lecture 1 |
Nicholas, p. 1-9 |
|
1 |
Th |
Jan-14 |
Terrigenous Clastic Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks |
Lecture 2 |
Nicholas, p. 10-24 |
|
2 |
T |
Jan-19 |
Biogenic, chemical, and Volcanogenic sediments and rocks |
Lecture 3 |
Nicholas, p. 25-36 |
|
2 |
Th |
Jan-21 |
Sediments: from Sources to Destination |
Lecture 4 |
Nicholas, p. 37-61, 76-89 |
|
3 |
T |
Jan-26 |
Sediments: from Sources to Destination (continue) |
No new slides |
Nicholas, p. 37-61, 76-89 |
|
3 |
Th |
Jan-28 |
Sedimentary Structures |
Lecture 5-6 |
Nicholas, p. 43-61.
See reading assignment here |
|
4 |
T |
Feb-2 |
Sedimentary Structures (continue) |
No new slides |
Nicholas, p. 43-61. |
|
4 |
Th |
Feb-4 |
Depositional Environments and Facies |
Lecture 7 |
Nicholas, p. 62-75. |
|
5 |
T |
Feb-9 |
Siliciclastic depositional systems: Alluvial and Glacial |
Lecture 8 |
Nicholas, p. 76-89, 101-116 |
|
5 |
Th |
Feb-11 |
Siliciclastic depositional systems: Fluvial and Lakes |
Lecture 9 |
Nicholas, p. 116-134. |
|
6 |
T |
Feb-16 |
Siliciclastic depositional systems: Delta and Estuaries |
Lecture 10 |
Nicholas, p. 135-149.
Rainbow Garden Field Trip, This Friday
Facies description example |
|
6 |
Th |
Feb-18 |
Siliciclastic depositional systems: Coastal Environments |
Lecture 11 |
Nicholas, p. 167-180. |
|
7 |
T |
Feb-23 |
Siliciclastic depositional systems: Shelf to Basinal Environments |
Lecture 12 |
Nicholas, p. 180-206. |
|
7 |
Th |
Feb-25 |
Carbonate Depositional System: An overview |
Lecture 13 |
Nicholas, p. 187-191. |
|
8 |
T |
Mar-02 |
Midterm Exam Review |
Midterm Exam Review |
Lecture 1-12 |
|
8 |
Th |
Mar-04 |
Midterm Exam |
Midterm Exam |
|
|
9 |
T |
Mar-9 |
Carbonate Depositional System: An overview |
No new slides |
Nicholas, p. 187-191. |
|
9 |
Th |
Mar-11 |
Carbonate Depositional System: Peritidal Carbonates and Cycles |
Lecture 14 |
Reading assignment for discussion, Tuesday, March 16 |
|
10 |
T |
Mar-16 |
Peritidal Carbonates and Cycles: Discussion |
Lecture 15 |
|
|
10 |
Th |
Mar-18 |
Carbonate Depositional System: Ramp and Rimmed Shelves |
Lecture 16 |
Nicholas, p. 187-188 |
|
11 |
T |
Mar-23 |
Peritidal Carbonates and Cycles: Discussion |
Same as last Thursday |
Arrow Canyon Field Trip, This Friday |
|
10 |
Th |
Mar-25 |
Carbonate Depositional System: Reefs, Mounds, and Carbonate Slopes |
Lecture 17 |
In class summary of carbonate facies and cycles |
|
12 |
T |
Apr-6 |
Microbially Induced Sedimentary Structures (MISS) |
Lecture 18 |
Weekend Field Trip in Utah, This Friday-Sunday |
|
12 |
Th |
Apr-8 |
Sequence stratigraphy and sea-level changes |
Lecture 19 |
Nicholas, p. 264-298 |
|
13 |
T |
Apr-13 |
No lecture - Draw stratal column using illustrator |
Work on final project |
TEC computer lab |
|
13 |
Th |
Apr-15 |
Sequence stratigraphy and sea-level changes (Continued) |
Same as Lecture 19 (Apr-8) |
Nicholas, p. 264-298 |
|
14 |
T |
Apr-20 |
Basics on stable isotopes and applications |
Lecture 20-21 |
Homework: Due Thursday, Apr-22
Reference for Homework |
|
14 |
Th |
Apr-22 |
Basics on stable isotopes and applications |
Lecture 20-21, No new slides |
Homework: Due Tuesday, Apr-27
Reference for Homework |
|
15 |
T |
Apr-27 |
Carbonate Diagenesis - an introduction |
Lecture 22 |
|
|
15 |
Th |
Apr-29 |
Final Review |
Final Review |
This Friday: Project presentation |
|
16 |
T |
May-4 |
Study week; No class |
Study week; No class |
|
|
16 |
Th |
May-6 |
Final Exam (10:10 am - 12:45 pm) |
Final Exam (10:10-12:45) |
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