Sedimentology

WHY STUDY SEDIMENTARY ROCKS?1) Cover over 70% of Earth’s Land Surface These are the rocks you see most often.2) Economically Important!! Contain all oil & gas deposits

Important source of mineral resources like iron, salt, aluminum; of agricultural fertilizer; of construction materials like gypsum for drywall.

Sedimentary rocks form important aquifers – sources of fresh drinking water.

WHY STUDY SEDIMENTARY ROCKS?

3) They retain information about how and where they formed. Important clues to Earth’s ancient environments!

4) They contain fossils. Important information on the history and evolution of life!!

WHY STUDY SEDIMENTARY ROCKS?They can be incredibly beautiful!!

THE GEOLOGIC COLUMN CIRCA 1800

STENO

GLOSSOPETRAE

STENO’S PRODROMUS

Smith’s Geologic Map Modern Geologic Map

Development of the Geologic Timescale