3.
SEDIMENTARY
STRUCTURES
A key to the interpretation of
the “Depositional Setting” of
sedimentary
di t rocks
k
Sedimentaryy rocks are the pproduct
of the creation, transport,
deposition,, and diagenesis of
deposition
detritus and solutes derived from
pre--existing rocks.
pre
Why Use Sedimentary Structures?
Sedimentaryy structures are used to identifyy depositional
p
setting of sedimentary rocks in conjunction with:
Lithology
Beddingg geometries
g
Subdividing surfaces
Fauna
Depositional setting of sedimentary rocks used to assess
& predict the fabric of the rocks at that locality
Extrapolate their distribution along & perpendicular to
strike or vertically within that geologic section
strike,
Sedimentaryy Rocks
Detrital/Siliciclastic Sedimentary Rocks
conglomerates
l t & breccias
b i
sandstones
mudstones
Carbonate Sedimentary Rocks
carbonates Sedimentary
Other Sedimentary Rocks Structures
evaporites -
phosphates Found in All
organic--rich sedimentary rocks
organic
cherts
volcaniclastic rocks
SEDIMENTARY STRUCTURES
Primary
y Bedforms ((formed DURING deposition)
p )
Bed form 1. Internal Structures
1A-Plane Beds Planar laminations V i t:
Variant
1B-Ripples Ripples cross-lamination &
Small-scale cross-lamination • Swaley & Hummocky
1C-Dunes Large-scale cross-stratifications • Herringbone
• Flaser-wavy-lenticular
y
(cross bedding) • Symmetric & Asymmetric Ripple
1D Graded Bedding
2. Erosion Structures on 3. Erosion Structures on
the UNDER side the UPPER side
of beds (sole markings) of beds (sole markings)
2A-Flute casts 3A-Rill marks
2B-Tool Marks 3B-Wind erosion
Groove casts 3C-Raindrop imprints
P d marks,
Prod k bounce
b marks
k
Chevron marks
After Bjorlykke (1984)
SEDIMENTARY STRUCTURES
Secondary
y Bedforms ((formed AFTER deposition)
p )
4. Water Escape 6. Cracks
4A Dish structures 6A-Dessication mudcraks
(immediately after deposition) 6B-Shrinkage cracks, synaeresis
4B Sandstone dykes 6C-Frost cracks (polygons)
4C Sand
S d volcanoes
l
5. Load Structures
5 7. Deformation Structures
7
(inverse density gradient) (due to gravity)
5A-Load casts 7A-Slumping
5B-Ball & pillow structures G
Growth
th ffaults
lt
5C-Clay diapirs + convolute
+ Biogenic Structure
After Bjorlykke (1984)
LAMINAE and BEDS
LAMINAE
LESS THAN 1 CM
The laminae result from changing
depositional conditions that cause
variations in:
(1) grain size,
(2) content of clay and organic material,
(3) mineral composition, or
(4) microfossil content of sediments.
BEDS
MORE THAN 1 CM
1.a. Primary Bedform:
Cross Stratification
Cross Stratification
Bedform Hierarchyy
Cross lamination
/ ripple cross -lamination
/ small-scale cross-lamination
Cross lamination
= Mega ripples
Cross bedding
/ Large scale cross-stratification
Parallel lamination /
Parallel bedding
Cross bedding
There are two primary
sedimentary structure: cross,
parallel, (& graded)
Cross Stratification
Terminology
Fore set
B
Bottom set
Cross Stratification
Ripple & Dune: See how they formed genetically
Let’s watch the movie …
Cross Stratification
Ripple: Three Dimensional Form
Ripples and ripple stratification types as related to a range of flow conditions, grain size and
aggradation rate (From Harms, et al, 1975 )
Cross Stratification
Modern & Paleo feature
Cross Stratification
Variant 1: Asymmetric Wave Ripple
L = 10 - 30m
L
= 5 - 15 M
2
Asymmetric wave ripple
breaker
Asymmetric wave ripple
= current ripple
Symmetric ripple
= wave ripple
Cross Stratification
Variant 1: Swale & Hummocky Cross Stratification
STORM SURGE
MEAN SEA LEVEL
FAIRWEATHER WAVE BASE
HUMMOCKY DEPOSITION
STORM WAVE BASE
TURBIDITE DEPOSITION
GRADED RHYTHMITE DEPOSITION
(SIMPLE FALLOUT)
Cross Stratification
Variant 1: Hummocky Cross Stratification
Cross Stratification
Variant 1: Hummocky Cross Stratification
Cross Stratification
Variant 1: Hummocky Cross Stratification
Cross Stratification
Variant 3: Herringbone
‘Tide in’ and ‘Tide out’ are in opposite direction
Æ Wave & beach profile are in upright position
Cross Stratification
Variant 4: Structure caused by tidal
(Fl
(Flaser-Wavy-Lenticular)
W L ti l )
f
supratidal
Cross Stratification
T
High tide level Variant 3: Structure caused by tidal
I
D
A
L
intertidal
(
(Flaser-Wavy-Lenticular))
R
A
supratidal
N
G
E
Low tide level
SALT
subtidal MARSH
MUD
intertidal FLATS Roofed
muds
MIXED
High tide
FLATS
l
levell Lenticular
subtidal
bedding
SAND
FLATS Wavy bedding
TIDAL
Low tide CHANNEL
Lateral
level accretion
bedding
Fioser
bedding
Location of Formation
• flaser beddingg - commonly
y forms in relatively
y high
g energy
gy environments ((sand flats))
• wavy bedding - commonly forms in environments that alternate frequently from higher to
lower energies (mixed flats)
• lenticular bedding - commonly forms in relatively low energy environments (mud flats)
1.b. Primary Bedform:
Non-Cross Stratification
Traction Current
Bedforms – Parallel Structure
Note High Energy Planar Beds
Beach Face - South Carolina Foreshore Photo: G. Voulgaris
Gravity Flow
Bouma Sequence:
q Graded Beds
Grain
Size
Fines
up
Convolute & Slump
Fluvial Pulau Balang, East Kalimantan Bayah Fm, Sukabumi, W. Java
Deltaic for
Explorationis
t
2. Primary Bedform:
2
Erosion Structures on
the UNDER side
of beds (sole markings)
Flute casts, Tool Marks, Groove casts,
Crescent, Prod marks, bounce marks,
Chevron marks
Erosion Structure on UNDER SIDE of BED
Sole Marking: Formation of Flute Cast
Erosion of bed Deposition Burial and Tectonic
lithification tilting
Subaerial Tectonic Subaerial
erosion overturning erosion
Erosion Structure on UNDER SIDE of BED
Sole Marking: Flute Cast
Erosion Structure on UNDER SIDE of BED
Sole Marking: Tool Marks
¾The impression made on the
surface of a soft bed of sediment by
the impact of an object (tool),
(tool)
¾Or the dragging of an object over
the sediment by a current.
¾Tool marks include bounce, prod,
skip, groove, and chevron marks,
which develop by differing
interaction of the tools with the
sediment.
Fluvial
Deltaic for
Explorationis
t
Erosion Structure on UNDER SIDE of BED
Sole Marking: Groove Cast
Straight
g ridges
g the result of objects
j being
g dragged
gg on surface
Erosion Structure on UNDER SIDE of BED
Sole Marking: Groove Cast
Erosion Structure on UNDER SIDE of BED
Sole Marking: Groove Cast
Erosion Structure on UNDER SIDE of BED
Sole Marking: Crescent
Erosion Structure on UNDER SIDE of BED
Sole Marking: Crescent
3. Primary Bedform:
Erosion Structures on
the UPPER side
of beds (sole markings)
Rill marks
marks, Wind erosion,
erosion
Raindrop imprints
Erosion Structure on the UPPER SIDE of BED
Sole Marking: Rain Drops
4 Secondary
4. S d B
Bedform:
df
Water Escape
Dish structures,
Sandstone dykes,
Sand volcanoes
Secondary Structure
Water Escape: Dish Structure
Dish Structure - Pulubalang Fm
Dish Structure - Ordovician - KTy
5 Secondary
5. S d B
Bedform:
df
Load Structures
LLoadd Casts,
C t
Flame Structures,
B ll & Pillow
Ball Pill Structures,
St t
Clay Diapirs
Secondary Structure
Load Structure: Load Cast Generation
> Sole marking generally
preserved on the lower side of
the sand layer overlying the
mud layer
¾Often associated with
turbidities with a thin layer of
coarser sediment on the top.
¾Can also be defined as a bulbous
depression formed on the base of
a bed of sediment
¾Developed by the differential
singking of the sediment,
sediment while
still soft, into less dense sediment
below.
Secondary Structure
Load Structure: Load Cast & Flame Structure
Load Cast
Carbonate Load Cast –
Ordovician - Kty
Flame Structure
Secondary Structure
Load Structure: Flame Structure
5 10cm
0
Secondary Structure
Load Structure: Ball & Pillow
Secondary Structure
Load Structure: Ball & Pillow
Secondary Structure
Load Structure: Ball & Pillow
Secondary Structure
Load Structure: Ball & Pillow
Ball and Pillow in
Cincinnatian
6 Secondary
6. S d B
Bedform:
df
Cracks
Dessication mudcraks,
Shrinkage cracks,
cracks synaeresis
Frost cracks (polygons)
Secondary Structure
Cracks: Mud Cracks
Mud Cracks – Edwards Lst - Texas
Product of desiccation & contraction of
muddy sediments Mud cracks demonstrate
drying-out of a thin layer of sediment fine
Ancient desiccation &
enough to have significant cohesion. Definite
proof of terrestrial setting or very shallow crack filling of muddy sediments
water marginal marine.
7. Secondary Bedform:
Deformation Structures
Sl
Slumping
i & Growth
G th faults
f lt
Secondary Structure
Deformation Structures due to Gravity: Slumping
Bayah Fm, Sukabumi, W. Java
Bayah Fm, Sukabumi, W. Java
Bayah Fm, Sukabumi, W. Java
Secondary Structure
Deformation Structures due to Gravity: Growth Fault
Gas
Oil
Biogenic Structure
It destroyed
y the p
primaryy structures … !
Vertical & Lateral Succession
Three Types of Sediment
A
Accumulations
l ti
Vertical Change Succession
1. Progradation
Coarsening
upward
p
Lateral outbuilding, or progradation, of strata in a sea-ward direction.
Progradation can occur as a result of a sea-level rise accompanied by a high
sediment flux (causing a regression).
Example c/u:
Delta (in general), Delta front (mouth bar),
Bar (open marine), alluvial fan, crevasse
splay, submarine fan
Vertical Change Succession
2. Aggradation
Blocky
Vertical build up of a sedimentary sequence. Usually occurs when there is a relative rise
in sea level produced by subsidence and/or eustatic sea-level rise, and the rate of
sediment influx is sufficient to maintain the depositional surface at or near sea level.
Example Aggradation:
Massive, no structure: turbid / mass flow
Massive ≤1m
(sediment grain size are all the same) Æ all
to be sedimentation directly
Vertical Change Succession
3. Retrogradation
Fining upward
The movement of coastline land-ward in response to a transgression.
This can occur during a sea
sea-level
level rise with low sediment flux.
Example f/u: winning current normal process
Æ Channel fill to be abandonment
LATERAL CHANNEL
MIGRATION
Accomodation is nil, no fluvial
aggradation occurse and the laterally
migrating thick sand section of laterally
amalgamated channel-fill deposits,
AMALGAMATED FLUVIAL
NO SUBSIDENCE CHANNELS FORM A SAND
SHEET ONE CHANNEL THICK
LATERAL CHANNELS
MIGRATION
As the rate of accommodation and fluvial
aggradation inreases, the sandy channel-fill
deposits become more isolated within
floodplain muds.
FLUVIAL CHANNELS
ISOLATED IN FLOODPLAIN MUDS
SUBSIDENCE
AGGRADING
ALLUVIAL PLAIN
RISING BASE
LEVEL
FLUVIAL
AGGRADATION
INCISED VALLEY
If fluvial incision occurs, accommodation
is negative and the river incises the floodplain
Effect of accommodation rates on
fluvial aggradation
gg and sand/shale
/
(Allen, 1996)
FALLING
BASE LEVEL
FLUVIAL
INCISION
Lateral Change Succession
Lateral Accretion Surfaces A B
(lateral progradation)
A B
1
.. .. . .
. .......
. Lag Deposit (i
(i.e.
e
conglomerate, pebbles /
. ..
cobbles in sandstone
..
.
A B
1
..2.. . . .. .. . . .. .. .. .
3
Lateral Accretion
. ........ . ........ . .......
Lateral accretion indicate meandering (subaerial & / subaquaeous)
Sedimentation Proces Æ Lateral Accretion Surfaces
Lateral
Accretion
Some Clues … !
Comparing Bouma w/ Allen Sequence
Grain Size Fines up
Where does turbidite happen?
Turbidite =
High energy + suspension mixed (mud,
(mud
mass flow), + SLOPE
Æ alluvial fan, crevasse splay,
submarine
b i fan,
f thalweg
th l (lag
(l deposit),
d it)
pro delta, continental shelf.
Some Clues
Normal Process
FLUVIAL TIDAL WAVE
Climbing Ripple a. Flaser-
Flaser-Wavy
Wavy--Lenticular a. Hummocky (HCS) –Swale
(ripple bed form) b. Wave Ripple –
interference ripple
Through cross-
cross-bed b. Clay doublete / couplette Low angle cross stratification
(foreshore sandstone)
c. Clay drapes (should be on
fore set)
Rare burrow d. Lots burrow Fair burrow
Some Clues
Tidal Process Clues: clay doublette / couplette
Finer-grained
5 – 10 cm
Finer-grained
Some Clues
Tidal Process Clues: Mud drapes
1m
Mud drapes Æ typical of tidal channel deposit
Some Clues
Abnormal process
FLUVIAL Æ TIDAL Æ WAVE Æ
FLOOD TSUNAMI STORM
Graded bedding (turbidite) Hummocky (HCS) –
distal floodplain Æ climbing Swale (?)
???
ripple on flood plain
(covered by suspension ?)
Some Clues
Climbing Ripple on Flood Plain
Flood
A B
Climbing
g ripple
pp
normal
The Genetic of Sand-
Sand-Shale Striping Form
1. Clay drape cause of tide Æ ripple & clay
2 Classical flysch Æ graded bedding & clay
2.
3. Big Lake Æ algal blooming when lake
level rise & down
4. Flood Plain deposit Æ when flood
Sand--Shale Striping Outcrop
Sand
Tenggarong, East Kalimantan
End of Chapter 3
