Interpretation Criteria for Sedimentary Rocks

Rupali Lohani 35th OCG BatchF

Preliminary steps to Distinguish Different Sedimentary Rocks

Correlation between geology and landform Combination of factors : Experience Patience Perception Use of photorecognition elements in proper association Knowledge of climatic environment

Interpretation Criteria

a a

Based on Photo element

Tone Texture Shape Size Association

Based on Morphological Features

Landforms Drainage pattern Land use and land cover pattern

Classification of Sedimentary Rocks

Carbonates + Evaporites

Limestone, Dolomite, Rock salt, etc

Intermediate rocks
Conglomerate,

Sandstone, Quartz-arenite etc

Coarse Clastics

Clay, Shale, etc

Fine Clastics

Horizontally Bedded Sandstone

Topograhy: Bold, massive, flat topped hills of equal elevation Nearly vertical hill sides Drainage Coarse textured, joint controlled modified dendritic Often rectangular Erosion Few gullies, V-shaped Photo tone Light due to light colour of the rock In humid areas dense tree causes dark tone Red sandstones give dark tone Vegetation Commonly forested in humid while sparse in arid

Topograhy: Minutely dissected with steep stream/gully in arid climate Gently to moderately sloping softly rounded valleys & hills Drainage Fine textured, dendritic pattern with gently curving streams in arid climate Medium to fine in humid climate Erosion Sharp angular in arid terrain Gullies have gently rounded cross section in humid Tone Generally dark tone Vegetation Barren in arid except for desert vegetation Intensely cultivated in humid areas.

Horizontally Bedded Shale

Arid

Horizontally Bedded Shale

Humid

ARID

Horizontally Bedded Sandstone

HUMID

Horizontally Bedded Limestone

Topograhy: Karst topography in humid areas Forms table rocks in arid climate Drainage Internal drainage in humid climate Angular drainage with medium to fine density in arid terrain Erosion Chemical weathering in humid climate Erode very little and forms cap or table rocks in arid terrain Photo tone Varies from light to dark depending on cover Vegetation Barren in arid except for desert vegetation Dense vegetation resulting from clay soil in humid areas.

Interbedded Sedimentary Rocks Flat Lying

Topograhy: Terraced hillsides with hilltops at same elevation Slopes more gradual in humid while sharp in arid terrain Drainage Dendritic medium to coarse in humid Dendritic medium to fine in arid Photo tone Varies depending on rock type on cover Vegetation Climate and the lithology GSITI HYD

Interbedded Sedimentary Rocks Tilted

Topograhy: Series of parallel ridges with alternating valleys Slopes and ridges are smooth in humid while sharp in arid terrain Drainage Trellis and dendritic Coarse in humid terrain and fine in arid terrain Photo tone Varies depending on rock type on cover Vegetation Climate and the lithology

Interbedded Tilted Sequence Sandstone and Shale

GSITI HYD

INTERPRETATION CHART- CLASTIC SEDIMENARY ROCKS

Rocktype Topography /Landform
Massive,stee p slopes. Flat table

Drainage

Tone

Gullies

Vegetation/ Landuse
Forested. Barren

Sandstone Humid Arid

Dendritic course. Angular, dendritic(MF)

Light. Light banded

Few (V shaped). Few to none

Shale Humid Arid

Soft hills. Steep rounded hills

Dendrtic (MF) Dendritic (F)

Mottled- Dull Light

Soft U shaped. Steep sided

Cultivated Barren or badlands

Interpretation Chart for Carbonate Rich Rocks

Rock type Topography/L Drainage andform Tone Gullies Vegetation/Land use

Limestone Humid Arid

Karst topography Flat table

Internal Angular, Dendritic (M-F)

Mottled Light

Fringed Few to none

Cultivated Barren

Dolomite Humid Arid

Hill & Valley Flat table

Angular, Dendritic M. Angular, dendritic(M-F)

Light grey Light banded

Soft U shaped Few to none

Cultivated,Forest ed

Barren

INTERPRETATION CHART-SEDIMENARY ROCKS

Rocktype Topoga Drainag Tone phy e
Terraced hillsides Terraced hillsides Uniform slopes Minor terraces Parallel ridges Saw toothed edges Dendrtic (M-C) Dendritic (M-F) DendriticM Dendritic F Trellis-M Trellis-F grey

Gullies

Vegetati on/Land use

Cultivated

Flat interbedded (Thick bedded)-Humid Arid

Varies

Med light banded Medium grey

Varies to few

Barren

Flat interbedded (Thin bedded ) Humid Arid Tilted Interbedded Humid Arid

Soft-U shaped Few to none

Cultivated, forested Barren

Faint thin bands Grey & light banded Banded Varies Varies

Forested,c ultivated Barren

Thin Interbedded Flat-Lying Sedimentary Rocks

GSITI HYD

Interbedded Sedimentary Rocks Tilted

GSITI HYD

Landforms
When the resistant strata are inclined the ridges eroded from the strata are asymmetrical in cross section The slope which has the same direction as the dip is usually a consequent or resequent or dip slope The slope opposed to the dip is obsequent slope Where dip is less than 30o the obsequent slope is steeper than resequent and the landform is described as Cuesta With dip becoming steeper, the ridge becomes symmetrical and are called hog s back

PLATEAU MESA - BUTTE

Flatirons Steeply dipping beds indicate direction of dip

Landform Analysis
Landform High Topography Mesa,Butte Cuesta slope Flat iron Character / Structure Hard resistance rock Horizontal/sub horizontal Medium dipping bed Moderate to steep dipping bedded strata Litho Unit Quartzite/sandstone Quartzite/sandstone Quartzite/sandstone Quartzite/sandstone

THANK YOU