GEOLOGY 2500 - Sedimentary Geology II

Sediments, both ancient and recent, cover much of the earth's surface. Sediments are immensely important economically, as the host of petroleum and mineral deposits, and to the environment, as aquifers, sinks for contaminants, and the home to a large part of the biosphere. The sedimentary record is also the ultimate repository of the annals of Earth's history. By deciphering the clues held in this record, geologists have reconstructed the history of the earth surface environment, traced the evolution of life, and determined past climate changes. The sedimentology component of this course will provide a broad background to 1) the description of sedimentary rocks and recognition of sedimentary structures, 2) processes by which sediments are transported, deposited, and converted into rocks, 3) the tectonic setting and features of environments in which sediments accumulate, and 4) use of stratigraphy as a tool in Earth history. The Palaeontology component of this course will be an introduction to the fossil record, with an emphasis on the patterns of evolution during the Phanerozoic and the application of biostratigraphy.