Title Details

Acknowledgements ix

1 Introduction 1
1.1 Tools of the Trade 1
1.2 Other Tools for the Field 2
1.3 Use of GPS in Sedimentary Studies 3
1.4 Safety in the Field and General Guidance for Fieldwork 4

2 Field Techniques 7
2.1 What to Look for 7
2.2 The Approach 8
2.3 Field Notes 9
2.4 Graphic Logs 10
2.5 The Logging of Cores 15
2.6 Lithofacies Codes 16
2.7 Collecting Specimens 17
2.8 Presentation of Results 18
2.9 The Way-Up of Sedimentary Strata 19
2.10 Stratigraphic Practice 20

3 Sedimentary Rock Types 29
3.1 Principal Lithological Groups 29
3.2 Sandstones 32
3.3 Conglomerates and Breccias 36
3.4 Mudrocks 39
3.5 Limestones 40
3.6 Evaporites 51
3.7 Ironstones 53
3.8 Cherts 55
3.9 Sedimentary Phosphate Deposits (Phosphorites) 57
3.10 Organic-Rich Deposits 58
3.11 Volcaniclastic Deposits 59

4 Sedimentary Rock Texture 67
4.1 Introduction 67
4.2 Sediment Grain Size and Sorting 67
4.3 Grain Morphology 69
4.4 Sediment Fabric 72
4.5 Textural Maturity 75
4.6 Texture of Conglomerates and Breccias 76
4.7 Induration and Degree of Weathering 77
4.8 Colour of Sedimentary Rocks 79

5 Sedimentary Structures and Geometry of Sedimentary Deposits 83
5.1 Introduction 83
5.2 Erosional Structures 83
5.3 Depositional Structures 88
5.4 Depositional Structures of Limestones (Including Dolomites) 119
5.5 Post-Depositional Sedimentary Structures 127
5.6 Biogenic Sedimentary Structures 143
5.7 Geometry of Sedimentary Deposits and Lateral Facies Changes 158

6 Fossils in the Field 163
6.1 Introduction 163
6.2 Fossil Distribution and Preservation 166
6.3 Fossil Associations and Diversity 170
6.4 Skeletal Diagenesis 174

7 Palaeocurrent Analysis 179
7.1 Introduction 179
7.2 Palaeocurrent Measurements 179
7.3 Structures for Palaeocurrent Measurement 185
7.4 Presentation of Results and Calculation of Vector Means 187
7.5 Interpretation of the Palaeocurrent Pattern 188

8 What Next? Facies Analysis, Cycles and Sequences 191
8.1 Introduction 191
8.2 Facies Analysis 191
8.3 Facies Models and Depositional Environments 193
8.4 Cycle Stratigraphy and Sequence Stratigraphy 194

References and Further Reading 225

Index 229

"...a practical guide...appropriate and well-designed..." (Geological Magazine, 2005; Vol.142 (2))