Sedimentology & Stratigraphy

Curriculum Guideline

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Course
EAES 2340
Discontinued
No
Course Code
EAES 2340
Descriptive
Sedimentology & Stratigraphy
Department
Earth & Environmental Sciences
Faculty
Science & Technology
Credits
4.00
Start Date
End Term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
35
Contact Hours
Lecture 2 hours/wk Lab 4 hours/wk
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Lab
Field Experience
Learning Activities

2 hours lecture and 4 hours lab. Field trips will be scheduled where appropriate.

Course Description
This course investigates the sedimentary rock record with the aim of determining depositional environments and their ages. The principles of stratigraphy and sedimentology will be used to show how environmental information can be interpreted from the rocks. Field trips will be required.
Course Content

1. Overview of sedimentary rocks and environments

2. Weathering, transport and deposition

3. Diagenesis

4. Sedimentary textures

5. Sedimentary structures

6. Siliciclastic rocks and their depositional environments

7. Carbonates

8. Evaporites

9. Sedimentary facies and their distribution in space and time

10. Lithostratigraphy

11. Biostratigraphy

12. Chemostratigraphy

13. Magnetostratigraphy

14. Sequence stratigraphy

15. Geochronology

16. Basin analysis and tectonics

17. Depositional environments of oil, gas and coal

Labs may include:

  • Common sedimentary minerals
  • Textural analysis of clastic materials
  • Sedimentary structures
  • Classification of sedimentary rocks
  • Sandstones and conglomerates in hand sample and thin section
  • Carbonates and evaporites in hand sample and thin section
  • Stratigraphic correlations and facies relationships
  • Core analysis and stratigraphic column construction
  • Sequence stratigraphy and oil
  • Depositional environments of coal and oil
Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Use composition, grain size, textures, fossils and sedimentary structures to reconstruct sedimentary environments.
  • Apply stratigraphic principles and techniques to correlate rocks in space and time (including magnetostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, chemostratigraphy, lithostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy).
  • Interpret the geological history of an area by examining a column, outcrop or core of sedimentary rock.
  • Construct a stratigraphic column and log core.
  • Relate sedimentary processes and environments to tectonic settings.
  • Use petrographic techniques to identify, classify, determine the origin and describe the diagenetic history of carbonates, evaporites and siliciclastic rocks.
  • Describe and interpret environments of fossil fuel deposition.
Means of Assessment

Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy.  The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester.  Evaluation will be based on the following:

Lab assignments             20-25%

Lab exam                       15-20%

Term paper                    10-15%

Midterm Exam                20%

Final Exam                     25-30%

Textbook Materials

Students should consult the bookstore for the latest required course materials, including the textbook.

Boggs Jr., S. Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, latest edition, or an equivalent text.

Prerequisites

EAES 1120 or GEOL 1120 or EAES 1121 or GEOL 1121

Equivalencies

GEOL 2420