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OF
SEDIMENTARYROCKS
1. Clastic(siliciclastic)
Sandstones
Mudstones(shales)
Conglomerates
Carbonates
SiliceousOozes/Cherts
Evaporites
2. Chemical/Biochemical
CLASTICSEDIMENTARY
ROCKS(siliciclastic)
Rockcomposedmainlyofsilicateparticlesfrom
weatheringofrocks
SANDSTONES
CONGLOMERATES
SHALES
Sandstones
20to25%ofallsedimentaryrocks
Environments:
Coastal/shelfmarine,fluvial,subaerial
Composition:
GrainSize:
frameworkfraction:particles125to
2000mindiameter
Mineralogy:
Quartz(SiO2)dominantmineral5060%framework
monocrystallineformsinglelargegrains
polycrystallineformweatheredbeddedchert/chertnodules
Feldspars(AlSi3O8)secondmostabundantmineral1020%oftheframework
lessstablethanquartz
Alkali(PotassiumK)Feldspars(orthoclase,microcline),Plagioclase
Feldspars
Kfeldsparsmoreabundant
Plagioclasemoreabundantinsandstonesderivedfromvolcanicrocks
Sandstones
Mineralogy(Cont.):
ClayMinerals<5%matrix
AccessoryMinerals<1to2%
micas(muscovite,biotite)
heavyminerals(zircon,
rutile,magnetite,
pyroxenes,amphiboles
MineralCements:
form rims of
cements called
overgrowths
syntaxial
maintain
crystallographic continuityof
thegrain
Carbonate(CaCO3)basedcements
Photomicrographpolarizedlight
Sandstones
Classification
Arenites grain supported, well
sortedsandstones(<5%matrix)
1. quartzarenite
extensivechemicalweatheringproductof
multiplerecycling,mature
Marginal marine facies (beach,
offshore)
2. feldspathicarenite(>25%arkose)
limitedchemicalweathering
either very cold and dry
climate,orrapiderosionand
deposition
3. lithic(rockfragments)arenites
limitedchemical
weatheringmountainous
region,rapidtransport
alluvial fans, or
other
fluvial
environments
Laminations,xbeddingpossible
Sandstones
Classification:
Wackes abundant matrix, poorly
sorted(>15%matrix)
Deepwaterfacieswaning
turbiditycurrent
1. quartz wacke, feldspathic
wacke
2. lithic(rockfragments)wacke
3. graywacke
Conglomerates
1% of all sedimentary
rocks
HIGH ENERGY
environments
mountains, margins
fans,glacial
Composition:
GrainSize:
30%
gravel
size
(>2mm
in
diamet
er)
rounde
dclasts
2Types:
1. o
l
i
g
o
m
i
c
t
conglome
rate
clasts
predomin
antly one
compositi
on
several generations of
recycling eliminated
unstableclasts
2. polymict
conglomerate
assortment of
clast
compositions
unstable components
(limestones,basalt)
matrix
Triassic
Hawksmoor
Formation,
NeedwoodBasin,
UK
Shales
LOWENERGYEnvironments;
Deepquietwater
Abundantfinesediment
Shale
Composition:
GrainSize:
siltandclay(<63m)
Mineralogy:
finegrainquartz
Clay
Classification:
1. siltstone(>66%silt)
2. mudstone(<66%silt,
>33%clay)
3. claystone:(>66%clay)
Pelagic
clay
sil
t
CARBONATESEDIMENTARY
ROCKS
Calcite Rhombs
Rockcomposedmainlyofcarbonateminerals
3mostcommoncarbonates:
CalciteCaCO3(Rhombohedral)
Arag Needles
AragoniteCaCO3(Orthorhombic)
DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2(Rhombohedral)
Dolomite/dolostone
Dolomite Rhombs
Aragonitic Corals
Textures:(3primarytextures)
A.CarbonateGrains
silt size or larger
particlesofcalcite
clasts rock fragments
derived from weathering
oflimestones
skeletal particles
microfossilsor fragmentsor
macrofossils
zooplankton (foraminifera), corals,
molluscs,
ooidscoatedcarbonate
grainswithseednucleus
(ie.,qtzgrain,shellfrag.)
mainlyaragonite
A.CarbonateGrains
Coral (aragonite)
crinoids (white fragments) and brachiopods (dark)
Textures:(3primarytextures)
B.microcrystallinecalcite
(micrite)
claysizeorsmallerparticlesof
calcite
mudneedleshaped
aragonitecrystals(1
5m)
nannofossils
(coccoliths)calcareous
phytoplanktonprecipitate
testscomprisedofshields
(15m)
B.microcrystallinecalcite(micrite)
Calcareousnannofossils
C.sparrycalcite(spar)
largecrystalsofcalcite(0.02to0.1
mm)
limestones/marbles
Primarilydiageneticinorigin
1. Precipitationofsecondarycalcite
invoids
2. Recrystallizationoffossilcalcite
Recrystallized
mollusc
Calcitization of aragonite
3.SILICEOUSSEDIMENTARYROCKS(Chert)
rockcomposedmainlyoffinegrained,silicaminerals
comprise<1%ofallsediments
abundancethroughtimevaries
Composition
Diatoms&Radiolaria(Silicashells)
Opal(hydrousSiO2)
unstableTransformstochert
Microquartz(SiO2)
Silicificationofcalcite(chert)