Introduction to Sedimentology

Curriculum guideline

Effective Date:
Return to Course
Print Guideline
Course
GEOL 2321
Discontinued
Yes
Course code
GEOL 2321
Descriptive
Introduction to Sedimentology
Department
Earth & Environmental Sciences
Faculty
Science & Technology
Credits
4.00
Start date
End term
201930
PLAR
No
Semester length
15
Max class size
15
Contact hours
2 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Learning activities
  1. The primary modes of instruction shall be lectures, laboratories, and field trips.
  2. Readings will be assigned to supplement lectures.
  3. Audio-visual aids will be used where appropriate.
Course description
This course is a brief study of the various processes involved in the formation of sedimentary rocks, and of the characteristics imparted to formations by different depositional environments.
Course content

Lecture Topics

  1. Introduction – Occurrence of sedimentary rocks
  2. Formation of Sediment
  3. Sandstones/Conglomerates/Breccia
  4. Mudrocks
  5. Limestones/Dolomites
  6. Evaporites
  7. Iron-rich rocks
  8. Cherts/Hydrocarbons/Volcanoclastics (one of)

Laboratory Topics

  1. Mineral Lab – review
  2. Sedimentary particles
  3. Textural analysis of sand
  4. Particle size analysis
  5. Detrital rocks
  6. Carbonate staining/peels
  7. Carbonate rocks
  8. Evaporites/cherts/ironstones/phosphates
  9. Acetolysis

Each student will be assigned a field project, generally in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, and will be expected to provide a comprehensive report on the sedimentology of the area assigned.

Learning outcomes

The student should be able to:

  1. Identify the effects of weathering on rocks in the field.
  2. Identify sedimentary rocks in hand specimens and in the field.
  3. Carry out grain size analysis of loose sediments.
  4. Explain the dynamics of sediment transport and deposition.
  5. Determine the environment of formation of various sedimentary rocks.
  6. Differentiate sedimentary environments in the field.
  7. Work out the geological history of a sedimentary basin from the study of geological maps.
Means of assessment
Mid-term test 30%
Field project 30%
Lab exercises 10%
Final exam 30%

 

Textbook materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students

Text: Blatt, H., Sedimentary Petrology, W. H. Freeman

Lab Manual: Friedman & Johnson (1982), Exercises in Sedimentology, John Wiley

Prerequisites

GEOL 1120