This is the second edition of Applied Sedimentology, and effectively the fourth edition
of its predecessor Introduction to Sedimentology, first published in 1976.
Geology in general, and sedimentology in particular, has changed much during the
last 25 years. When the first edition appeared, sediments were studied by geologists, who
were bearded, suntanned individuals, with well-developed wilderness-survival skills and
an interesting range of tropical diseases. Today, sediments are largely studied by remote
sensing, in one form or another, by adept mouse-masters skilled in office survival. Satellite photos, multidimensional seismic surveys, and borehole imagery enable sedimentary rocks to be studied in an air-conditioned office without ever actually being looked at.
To correctly interpret and understand remotely sensed sediments, however, it is essential to understand the fundamentals of sedimentology, preferably by having studied
sediments in the wild. Modern earth science graduates are familiar with the latest theological debate pertaining to sequence stratigraphy, and the latest computer program for
basin modeling, but are often unable to tell granite from arkose or to explain the formation of cross-bedding. Worthy attempts by teachers to lead students to the margin of
the subject before absorbing its foundations exact a high price.
On my last field trip I used the guidebook of the local petroleum exploration society.
I visited an outcrop of what the guide described as a carbonatite plug. This proved to be
a raised sea stack of white skeletal limestone. At another locality shales were described
as containing horizons of volcanic bombs. These were actually rusty, round fossiliferous
siderite concretions. The guidebook's account of the complex tectonics of the region
was scrambled through failure to use turbidite bottom structures.
Applied Sedimentology is therefore unashamedly about sensual sedimentology. It attempts to provide a firm foundation on which to interpret sediments remotely sensed
by various geophysical tools.
Applied Sedimentology is divided into three parts: Rock to Sediment, Sediment Sedimented, and Sediment to Rock, reflecting the holistic nature of the sedimentary cycle.
An introductory chapter outlines the field of sedimentology, relates it to the fundamental sciences, and discusses its applications. Part I, Rock to Sediment, consists of two
chapters. Chapter 2 outlines weathering, showing not only how weathering gives rise to
the terrigenous sediments, but also how it mobilizes and concentrates diverse residual
ore deposits. Chapter 3, Particles, Pores, and Permeability, describes the texture of sediments and shows how these are related to porosity and permeability.
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of its predecessor Introduction to Sedimentology, first published in 1976.
Geology in general, and sedimentology in particular, has changed much during the
last 25 years. When the first edition appeared, sediments were studied by geologists, who
were bearded, suntanned individuals, with well-developed wilderness-survival skills and
an interesting range of tropical diseases. Today, sediments are largely studied by remote
sensing, in one form or another, by adept mouse-masters skilled in office survival. Satellite photos, multidimensional seismic surveys, and borehole imagery enable sedimentary rocks to be studied in an air-conditioned office without ever actually being looked at.
To correctly interpret and understand remotely sensed sediments, however, it is essential to understand the fundamentals of sedimentology, preferably by having studied
sediments in the wild. Modern earth science graduates are familiar with the latest theological debate pertaining to sequence stratigraphy, and the latest computer program for
basin modeling, but are often unable to tell granite from arkose or to explain the formation of cross-bedding. Worthy attempts by teachers to lead students to the margin of
the subject before absorbing its foundations exact a high price.
On my last field trip I used the guidebook of the local petroleum exploration society.
I visited an outcrop of what the guide described as a carbonatite plug. This proved to be
a raised sea stack of white skeletal limestone. At another locality shales were described
as containing horizons of volcanic bombs. These were actually rusty, round fossiliferous
siderite concretions. The guidebook's account of the complex tectonics of the region
was scrambled through failure to use turbidite bottom structures.
Applied Sedimentology is therefore unashamedly about sensual sedimentology. It attempts to provide a firm foundation on which to interpret sediments remotely sensed
by various geophysical tools.
Applied Sedimentology is divided into three parts: Rock to Sediment, Sediment Sedimented, and Sediment to Rock, reflecting the holistic nature of the sedimentary cycle.
An introductory chapter outlines the field of sedimentology, relates it to the fundamental sciences, and discusses its applications. Part I, Rock to Sediment, consists of two
chapters. Chapter 2 outlines weathering, showing not only how weathering gives rise to
the terrigenous sediments, but also how it mobilizes and concentrates diverse residual
ore deposits. Chapter 3, Particles, Pores, and Permeability, describes the texture of sediments and shows how these are related to porosity and permeability.
ix