Definitions

Sedimentary Rocks Defined as a geologic unit or rock unit produced from physico-chemical weathering of lithosphere . Sedimentary deposit A body of solid materials accumulate at or near surface of the earth under low T, P which normally characterise this environment

Definitions
Sedimentary petrology Is the microscopic and megascopic investigation of sedimentary rocks Sediments Sediments in its ordinary means solid materials that had settled down from a state of suspension in a liquid but in geological mean it is not limited.

Sedimentology
Definition The branch of geology that deals of studying of sedimentary rocks; description, classification, genesis, diagenesis and their economic importance.

The classification of sedimentary rocks

* The terrigenous sediments are those particles were originally derived from the earth ( mudrocks, siliciclastic sands and conglomerates ) * The pyroclastic sediments are the products of volcanic activity, include ashes, tuffs, volcaniclastic sands and agglomerates. * The residual sediments are those left in place after weathering, include the laterites and bauxites. * The organic sediments are those which are composed of organic matter of both animal and vegetal origin, include skeletal limestone and coal. * The chemical sediments are those which form by direct precipitation in a subaqueous environment, include evaporite gypsum and rock salt , as well as tufa and perhaps some lime mud.

The classification of sedimentary rocks

The five genetic classification still not solve all rock classification problem e.g phosphatized bone beds are chemical, organic or residual deposits, and so on ? The five main genetic classes of sedimentary rocks can be divided into two separate categories: the allochthonous and the autochthonous deposits. ** The allochthonous sediments are those which are transported into the environment in which they are deposited. They include the terrigenous and pyroclastic, with rare reworked carbonates. ** The autochthonous sediments are those which form within the environment in which they are deposited. They include the chemical, organic and residual classes.

Internal Organization and Structures of sedimentary

Introduction: To understand what the meaning of structures of sedimentary rocks we well made a rapid comparison between texture and structure
Textures Structures

the grain to Larger grain organizational relation, units, seen or studied are seen or best in thin studied best in section. the outcrop

Geological importance of sedimentary structures:

a. They can be used to ascertain sedimentary stratigraphic sequence. b. They can be used to determine paleo- current, paleo-slope. c. They aid to determine agent of transportation. d. They aid to determine paleogeoraphy and paleo-climate.

Classification of sedimentary structures

Physical or Mechanical or primary structures are those formed at the time of sediment accumulations or deposition, they may be either; Hydrodynamic (produced by action of current) or Hydro plastic ( synsedimentary deformation ) Chemical or diagenetic or secondary st. are those formed after rock deposition Organic or biogenic: are formed during the depositional process by action of organisms.

Characterization and restriction of sedimentary structures:

sedimentary structures are independent of rock composition or lithology . examples : Graded bedding or cross bedding characterize s.s and l.s, while Mud cracks occur only in cohesive muds and stromatolites occur only in carbonate sediments. Ripple do not form neither in a clay nor in .coarse sand or gravel

Classification of sedimentary structures

The most common classification of sedimentary structures based on the agent or the environment of deposition, other is based on the morphology. (see pettijohn page 101)

Classification of sedimentary structures

Inorganic StructurePrimary Structures (Mechanical) A. Bedding stratification B. Bedding internal structures C. Bedding plane structures (on sole) d. Bedding plane structures (on surface)

Classification of sedimentary structures

Inorganic Structure Secondary Structures (chemically)

A. solution Structures
1.stylotites 2. corrosion zone 3. vugs

B. Accretionary st. Crystal aggregates

C. Composite structure Geodes, Sepatria Cone in cone

Primary structures
Bedding or stratification ; is the common and universal primary structures. It is the arrangement of bed into layers stratified rock it mean sedimentary rocks. Only few rare sediments such as Tillite are without internal stratification, also some Igneous, metamorphic and lava flows are bedded. Stratum : is a layer greater then > 1 cm in thick visually separable from other layer this is due to change in lithology or to sharp physical break. Lamination : is restricted to similar units 1 cm in thick. Fissile, shaly is applied to shale strata and formed due to arrangement of : micaceous Laminas

Diagram showing different shapes that can be acquired by beds and laminae and the corresponding descriptive terms

Nomenclature of bed according to their thickness

According to Meckee and wear
Thickness 1-5 cm Nomenclature Very thin bedded

Character Flaggy

5-60 cm
60-120 cm > 120 cm

Thin bedded
Thick bedded Very thick bedded

Slabby
Blocky Massive

The thinner strata are Laminated if 2mm., it named thinly

Terminology for thickness of beds and laminae

Morphological description of bedding.

Flow Mechanisms
It is very important to know how particles will behave when the fluid is moving. The physics of this situation is expressed by the Reynolds equation: R = vdp /
Where R is the reynolds number V: velocity of the particle D: id the diameter of the particle P: is the density of the particle : is the viscosity of the fluid.

Flow Mechanisms
Reynold number For low R. number (<2000) the fluid is laminar flow Flow lines PII to the boundary surface For high R. number (> 2000) the fluid is turbulent, generating eddies and vortices flow. -------------------------

Ripple marks also

indicate currents, and are preserved on bedding planes

5) Mud cracks indicate alternate drying and wetting of the surface

The important idea the characteristics of

sediments and sedimentary strata tell us about the past environmental conditions in a particular area & how they changed over time

Sole marks

Flute marks preserved as flute moulds on the lower surface of a bed. Flute are arranged parallel to the current. The current is from L to R.

Vertical plastic deformational structures

pseudonodule

Biogenic Sedimentary Structures

Four main types of structure Biogenic tracks ( vertebrate activities) Biogenic trails (vertebrate homes) Biogenic burrows ( soft sediments) Biogenic borings ( hard rocks)
All the mentioned features known as trace fossil or Ichnofossils

Classification of sedimentary structures

Organic Structures A. petrification B. Bedding C.Miscellaneous Borings Casts

Allochthonous Sediments Classification

Allochthonous sediments consists of the terrigenous and pyroclastic classes The allochthonous sediments may conveniently be classified using the end-member triangle Studies of modern sediments are predominant emphasizes grain size and texture rather than mineral composition Here we prefer the classification which is based on the grain size and composition. .

Allochthonous Sediments Classification Four main types of allochthonous sediments well now be described. These may be grouped into the:

Mudrock, Pyroclastic, Sandstone Rudaceous.

Gravel and Conglomerates ( Rudaceous Sediments )

Most gravels consist of a framework and void. gravel size The framework is composed of material varying from pebble to cobble and )Boulder The voids are the openings between these framework elements, voids are rarely empty, they are generally filled with detritus sand or smaller size or with a cement. Gravel with unfilled voids have been termed openwork gravel or Beach gravel

Gravel and Conglomerates

Texture of Gravel and Conglomerate Size of grains Sorting or modality Size of gravel Shape of gravel Roundness surface textures

Classification of Gravels and conglomerate

Conglomerates and gravels have been classified in various ways . * Based on Texture (size) e.g: boulder conglomerate cobble conglomerate * Based on composition e.g: Limestone conglomerate, Chert conglomerate * Based on cement e.g: Ferrugineous conglomerate, Calcareous conglomerate ** According to the agent or to the environment of deposition e.g : beach conglomerate, Fluviatile conglomerate ** Based on the process responsible for fragmentation e.g: Epiclastic conglomerate, Cataclastic conglomerate and Pyroclastic conglomerate ** Based on the origin of the Conglomerates and breccias, there are Five types, those five major categories will shown in table.

Cataclastic Breccias ( fault, fold breccia)

* Movement of large masses of rocks past one onother * Movement that occurs along a fault surface give rise to fault breccia * In case of overthrust, the breccia form thin blanket along the sole of such overthrust. * Crush conglomerate are produced by deformation of brittle, closely jointed rocks.

Landslides and slump Breccia

* Most slump breccia are formed due to simple gravitational srtess * They are localy and quantitavely unimportant. * Slump and landslides occur either subarial or saubaqueous * landslides are related to slope, structure and lithology

Impact or fallback Breccias

* Shown in a few terrestrial impact Craters. * Seen through the effects of shock metamorphism ( effect of shock on qz) * Shatter cones in basement quartzites and features attributable to shock metamorphism in the breccia

Internal fabric of gravel and conglomerate:

Gravels tend to have a preferred orientation. It has been observed that a flatter stone have up current dip. Imbrications also have been observed in both fluvial and marine gravels. The long axes of the pebble are said to be oriented in the direction of the current flow.

Pseudoconglomerates and pseudobreccias

* Formed due to the weathering of diabases and related rocks (rounded boulders of exfoliation surrounded by clays) * Sandstone packed with many rounded concretionary bodies. * Limestone consists entirely of algal balls- pebbely sized concretionally structure oncollites. * diagenetic processes produces a pseudo- breccias in some l.s

Diagenesis of conglomerates
Conglomerates, like all sedimentary rocks undergo modifications after deposition as lithification, solution ext ..

Lithification, the addition of a cement lead to binds the constituents clasts together. Solution; when intrastratal solution begin to play, it dissolve the contact between pebbles, and finally give stylolitic boundaries Mechanical pressures: Lead to deformation of pebbles some quartz or quartzite display fractures or micro-fault

Type of Sphericity

Factors control the maturity of the sediments

Rock components of detrital sediments

Uses and Economic importance of Sandstone

Sandstone deposits can be a beautiful part of the natural environment and apart of the breath-taking views at many natural parks and preserves. Mined sandstone can be cut, polished and carved for many uses. It is used as ornamental rocks for buildings, monuments, grave stones, bookends, beverage coasters, tiles and many other possible uses. Sandstone can also provide silica for glass production. Some mineral ores are found in sandstone. concentrate in uranium minerals in sandstone deposits and many uranium ore bodies are the result. Heavy minerals such as rutile, gold, diamonds and others can be found in sandstones from prehistoric placer deposits that are now worked for their economic value.

Economic Importance
1.Many sands and sandstones are economic resources

as abrasive. Raw materials in chemical, glass and metallurgical industries, as constructive material, both building stones and as ingredient of plaster and concrete. 2. Some sandstone constitute important reservoirs for natural gas, oil and artesian water 3. Some placer sands are a source of ore minerals and gem. 4. Sand erosion and deposition are of engineering importance on beaches, in river and in dune area.

Academic Importance:

* They help for understanding the geologic history; * Their composition consider as clue to provenance . * Their directional structure are guide to paleo -current. * Their geometry and internal structure shed light on depositional environment.

Mud rocks
Definition: The term mud is ill defined and loosely used. In recent deposits sediments referred to as a mixture of wet clay with certain amount of silt and sand. If lithified equivalent is termed mudstone.

MUDSTONE & CLAYSTONE

Clays are sediments with particles < .0039 mm. If lithified it give claystones. Silts have a grain size between .0039-.00625 mm. If lithified it give siltstones. Shale is another term applied to fine grained sediments, it does not differentiate silt from clay-grade sediments. Shaley or fissile phenomena is due to traces of mica aligned on laminae.

Type of Clay Minerals