"Sedimentology encompasses the study of modern sediments such as sand, silt, and clay, and the processes that result in their formation (erosion and weathering), transport, deposition and diagenesis."
A study of sedimentary rocks, including how they form, how to identify them, and how they can provide clues to the history of the Earth's surface.
Sediment types: This topic covers the different types of sediment including clastic, chemical, and biogenic sediments.
Sediment transport: This topic covers the various mechanisms by which sediment is transported including wind, water, and glaciers.
Sedimentary structures: This topic covers the structures found in sedimentary rocks, such as bedding planes, cross-bedding, and ripples.
Diagenesis: This topic covers the changes that occur to sediment after it is deposited, including compaction, cementation, and mineral alteration.
Stratigraphy: This topic covers the study of rock layers and their relationships in time and space.
Depositional environments: This topic covers the different settings in which sediment is deposited, including marine, continental, and transitional settings.
Sedimentary facies: This topic covers the different sedimentary environments and their corresponding sediment types, structures, and fossils.
Sedimentary basins: This topic covers the formation and evolution of sedimentary basins, including their tectonic setting and depositional history.
Sedimentology and petroleum geology: This topic covers the use of sedimentary rocks and their properties in the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons.
Sedimentology and paleontology: This topic covers the use of sedimentary rocks and their fossils in the reconstruction of past environments and biological evolution.
Sedimentology and climate change: This topic covers the relationship between sedimentary processes and climate change, including the study of past climate records in sedimentary rocks.
Sedimentology and environmental geology: This topic covers the impact of sedimentary processes on the environment, including erosion, sedimentation, and pollution.
Fluvial Sedimentology: The study of sediments formed by rivers and streams.
Glacial Sedimentology: The study of sediments formed by glaciers.
Coastal Sedimentology: The study of sediments formed by coastal processes, such as waves, tides, and currents.
Aeolian Sedimentology: The study of sediments formed by wind, such as sand dunes.
Lacustrine Sedimentology: The study of sediments found in lakes.
Marine Sedimentology: The study of sediments found in oceans and seas.
Anthropogenic Sedimentology: The study of sediments formed by human activity, such as industrial pollution or erosion due to construction.
Volcanic Sedimentology: The study of sediments formed by volcanic activity, such as ash and lava flows.
Reservoir Sedimentology: The study of sediments found in oil and gas reservoirs, including the study of reservoir geology, sedimentary basins, and basin analysis.
Paleoenvironmental Sedimentology: The study of ancient sediments to understand past environments and climates.
"Sedimentologists apply their understanding of modern processes to interpret geologic history through observations of sedimentary rocks and sedimentary structures."
"Sedimentary rocks cover up to 75% of the Earth's surface."
"Sedimentary rocks record much of the Earth's history."
"Sedimentary rocks harbor the fossil record."
"Sedimentology is closely linked to stratigraphy, the study of the physical and temporal relationships between rock layers or strata."
"The premise that the processes affecting the earth today are the same as in the past is the basis for determining how sedimentary features in the rock record were formed."
"By comparing similar features today to features in the rock record—for example, by comparing modern sand dunes to dunes preserved in ancient aeolian sandstones—geologists reconstruct past environments."
"Modern sediments such as sand, silt, and clay."
"The processes that result in their formation include erosion and weathering, transport, deposition and diagenesis."
"The main focus of sedimentologists is the study of modern sediments and the processes that result in their formation."
"Sedimentology encompasses the study of modern sediments and the interpretation of geologic history through observations of sedimentary rocks."
"Sedimentary rocks cover up to 75% of the Earth's surface."
"Sedimentology is closely linked to stratigraphy, the study of the physical and temporal relationships between rock layers or strata."
"Sedimentologists apply their understanding of modern processes to interpret geologic history through observations of sedimentary rocks and sedimentary structures."
"The fossil record resides within sedimentary rocks."
"Sedimentologists compare modern features to those preserved in ancient rocks to understand past environments."
"Geologists rely on the premise that the processes affecting the earth today are the same as in the past to determine how sedimentary features in the rock record were formed."
"The processes involved in the formation of sediments include erosion, weathering, transport, deposition, and diagenesis."
"The primary goal of sedimentologists is to interpret geologic history through observations of sedimentary rocks and sedimentary structures."