Depositional Environments Paleogeography Sedimentary rocks are composed of

Depositional Environments (Paleogeography) Sedimentary rocks are composed of sediments formed by the weathering of older rocks. The process of erosion transports each piece of sediment to a new location where the sediment is deposited. If conditions are right, the deposited sediments will eventually become sedimentary rock. Different sediments accumulate in different geographic environments. We know by observation that fine-grained particles (mud) are deposited in swamps, marshs, or on floodplains. Sand-sized particles are observed to accumulate in areas of higher energy, like beaches and sand bars. The precursor to limestone can be seen accumulating in shallow, warm, marine waters. The geology principle of uniformitarianism suggests we can use our understanding of today’s processes to decipher those of the past. With that in mind, each picture or illustration is accompanied by two questions: 1. What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? 2. What kinds of sedimentary rocks might these sediments ultimately produce? The goal is to begin to think of a sedimentary rock as more than just a rock. Instead, begin to see it as evidence of what the geography of the area was like is the geologic past. In this way, images of ancient environments, and changes in those environments demonstrated by vertical changes in rock type, become class discussion points.

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 01

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 02

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 03

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 04

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 05

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 06

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 07

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 08

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 09

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 10

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 11

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 12

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 13

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 14

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 15

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 16

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 17

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 18

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 19

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 20

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 21

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 22

What kinds of sediment might accumulate in this environment? What kinds of sedimentary rocks would these sediments produce? DEI 23