STRUCTURES OF
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
M.RAJASEKHAR
ASST. PROFESSOR
KUPPAM ENGINEERING COLLGE
Structures of sedimentary rocks formed by the deposition of sediments or
fragments by the process of ETD
Sedimentary structures are classified into different types based upon the
deposition of sediments they are
1. Stratification
2. Graded bedding
3. Cross bedding
4. Ripple marks
5. Mud cracks
6. Rain drop marks
7. Cast and mould
8. Tool marks
9. Track and Trails
10. Burrow marks
Stratification
Stratum- bed Strata- Series of beds
Stratification is defined as the deposition of sediments or fragments in
the series of beds.
These beds having different in mineralogy, clast size, degree of
sorting and color of the different layers.
Thickness of beds are very less is called “Lamination”
Graded Bedding
The velocity of the transporting agent decrease the larger or more dense
particles are deposited first, followed by similar particles
The bedding showing a decrease in grain size from the bottom of the
bed to the top of the bed.
Cross Bedding
Consists of set of beds that are inclined relative to one another. The beds
are inclined in the direction that the wind or water was moving at the time of
deposition.
Crass bedding very common in beach deposits, sand dunes, river deposits.
SEDIMENT
Transportation
Abrasion
Rounding
Sorting
Deposition
Environment of deposition- specific
Preservation
Ripple marks
Caused by waves or winds moves up the sediment into long ridges.
→Ripple marks are shallow water deposition
→Asymmetrical ripple marks can give an indication of current direction
→Symmetrical ripple marks form when the waves moves back and forth
Mud Cracks
Cracks on the sediment are developed due to the shrinkage of the sediment
as it dries.
OR
Formed as muddy sediment dries and contracts. Crack formation also
occurs in clayey soils as a result of a reduction in water content.
Cast and Molds
Any depression formed on the bottom of a body of water may become a
mold, later get deposited into the depression and will acquire the shape of
that depression called cast.
The body of sediment that gets the shape of the mold is cast.
Tool Marks
Scratch marks on the bottom of the water resulting due to any object carried
along by currents are called tool marks.
Rain prints or rain drop points
Pits created by falling rain
Tracks and Trails
These features are formed when organisms move across the
sediment as they walk, crawl or drag their body parts through the
sediment.
Burrow marks
Formed by any organism that burrows into sediment.
CHEMICAL SEDIMENTARY
ROCKS
Carbonate Rocks
Limestone- made of calcite
Inorganic varieties
micrite, oolites, travertine
Dolomite
Recrystallization
Chert- silica
Evaporites
Rock gypsum
Rock salt
BIOCHEMICAL
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
Coal
Develops from peat
plant fragments
Lignite
Bituminous Coal
Carbonate Rocks
Limestone- made of calcite
organic varieties
Coquina
Fossiliferous Limestone
Chalk
BIOCHEMICAL
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
Coal
Develops from peat
plant fragments
Lignite
Bituminous Coal
Carbonate Rocks
Limestone- made of calcite
organic varieties
Coquina
Fossiliferous Limestone
Chalk
SEDIMENTARY
STRUCTURES
BEDDING-
Principle of Original Horizontality
Bedding plane
Cross-bedding
Graded bed
Mud cracks
Ripple marks
Fossils
SEDIMENTARY
STRUCTURES
BEDDING-
Principle of Original Horizontality
Bedding plane
Cross-bedding
Graded bed
Mud cracks
Ripple marks
Fossils
DUNES
SEDIMENTARY
STRUCTURES
BEDDING-
Principle of Original Horizontality
Bedding plane
Cross-bedding
Graded bed
Mud cracks
Ripple marks
Fossils
SEDIMENTARY
STRUCTURES
BEDDING-
Principle of Original Horizontality
Bedding plane
Cross-bedding
Graded bed
Mud cracks
Ripple marks
Fossils
Mudcracks
SEDIMENTARY
STRUCTURES
BEDDING-
Principle of Original Horizontality
Bedding plane
Cross-bedding
Graded bed
Mud cracks
Ripple marks
Fossils
Body Fossils
Trace Fossils
Glacial Environment & Till
CALCAREOUS
