Geology 103

Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

Course material and Assignments

California State University, Sacramento

 

This page contains links to the major parts of the course, including objectives, detailed course notes, homework assignments, homework solutions and sample test questions. Click on the appropriate section to view your assignments.  Time to get busy!

Course requirements, syllabus and schedule

Week 1

Lecture:  Course introduction, weathering

Lecture:  Sedimentary textures, fabric, maturity

Lab:  Sieve analysis, sediment texture

Week 2

Lecture:  Classification of siliclastic sedimentary rocks

Lecture:  Fundamentals of fluid flow, laminar vs. turbulent flow, Reynolds and Froude numbers

Lab:  Sand composition

Week 3

Lecture: Density and viscosity, particle transport, Hjulstrom curve

Lecture:  Bedform progression, beds and bedding (primary sedimentary structures)

Lab:  Sand provenance

Week 4

Lecture:  Sedimentary structures

Lecture:  Sedimentary structures (continued)

Lab:  Clastic sedimentary structures

Week 5

Lecture:  Classification of siliclastic sedimentary rocks, Folk and Gilbert's classification systems

 

Exam #1: Wednesday, February 21st

 

Lab:  Petrology of silicilastic rocks: shale, siltstone, sandstone, conglomerate; Folk and Gilbert's classification systems

Week 6

Lecture:  Mass movements, sediment gravity flows

Lecture:  Deep marine sedimentation, deep sea fans

Lab:  Sandstone petrology:  naming sandstones, arenite vs. wacke

 

Day trips: Cache Creek measured stratigraphic sections

Great Valley sequence, deep sea fans in the field

Monday lab:

Your field trip will be Saturday, March 3rd

Wednesday lab:

Your field trip will be Sunday, March 4th

Week 7

Lecture:  Evaporite minerals, evaporite deposits

Lecture:  Chert, ironstone, phosphate, glauconite

Lab:  Sandstone petrography I: sandstones in thin section

Week 8

Lecture:  Coal and carbonaceous rocks

Lecture:  Alluvial fans

Lab:  Sandstone petrography II

Spring break: March 19th-23rd

Week 9

Lecture:  Alluvial fans

Lecture:  Braided streams

Lab:  Petrology of chert, ironstone, phosphates, coal, carbonaceous rocks

and Intro to group project

Week 10

 

Lecture:  Meandering and anastomosing streams

Lecture:  Local stratigraphy

Lab: Begin stratigraphy project:  Assign tasks, literature review

Week 11

Stratigraphy project- visit your unit for the first time.

 

Weekend field trip: Sedimentary environments and coastal processes (Friday April 13th through Sunday April 15th)

Week 12

Stratigraphy project- visit your unit for the second time.

Week 13

Lecture:  Deltaic systems

Exam #2: Wednesday, April 26th

 

Lab:  Finish poster presentations, submit for printing

Week 14

Lecture:  Carbonate classification and components (Folk and Dunham)

Lecture:  Carbonate mineralogy and stability

Lab:  Carbonate petrology: limestones, dolostones, porosity, Folk and Dunham's classification systems

Week 15

 

Lecture:  Carbonate shelf systems, modern reefs

Lecture:  Poster presentations (all groups!)

Lab:  Lab final- comprehensive rock I.D.

Comprehensive Final Exam: Monday, May 14th, 12:45-2:45

 

Final Grades- Spring 2018

 

Please contact me if you have any questions!

 

Have a great summer, and be safe.

 


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