EARTH SC/ENVIR SC 3E03

Clastic Sedimentary Environments

Calendar Description

Sedimentary processes, stratigraphy and depositional environments of clastic systems.

Two lectures, one lab (two hours); one term
Prerequisite(s): One of EARTH SC 2E03, ENVIR SC 2E03, ISCI 2A18
 
Cross-List(s): ENVIR SC 3E03, EARTH SC 3E03,
 

 

Time/Term Offered: Term One Fall 2012-13

Instructor: Dr. Joe Boyce
Room: General Science Building Rm. 232
Tel:(905) 525.9149 x24188
Email: boycej@mcmaster.ca
Office hours: TBA

Teaching Assistant:

Bobby Hendricks, hendrirr@mcmaster.ca

 

Course Outline Avenue to Learn
 



Introduction:

This course provides an introduction to the study of clastic sedimentary rocks and the various depositional environments in which they form. The course will begin by covering the principles of fluid hydrodynamics, sediment transport and the formation of sedimentary structures.  Depositional processes resulting in the formation of ripples, cross beds, hummocky cross stratification and turbidites will also be examined.  The focus will then turn to examination of processes and sediments in specific depositional settings including fluvial, lacustrine, deltaic, coastal and deep marine environments.  Students will be exposed to a number of modern and ancient examples of sedimentary successions formed in each of these environments.  The effects of sea level change on the sediment record and the principles and applications of sequence stratigraphy will also be discussed.

By the end of the course students should have a thorough understanding of depositional processes, the environments in which they operate and the sedimentary record they produce.  Students will also develop skills in the following areas:

  • Problem solving and data analysis
  • Laboratory methods for textural analysis of sediments and core samples
  • Field description and logging sediments and sedimentary rocks (weather permitting)
  • Interpretation of sedimentary facies and structures
  • Lab report writing and editing

 


Lecture/Labs:

Two one-hour lectures per week. The lab periods will introduce the fundamentals of field and laboratory analysis of sedimentary rocks, including: 1) sedimentary rock identification, 2) textural analysis 3) interpretation of sedimentary structures, 4) outcrop and core logging 5) stratigraphic correlation, 6) facies analysis and interpretation of depositional environments. There are a total of four labs, each spanning a two-week period. A half-day field trip to the Albion Falls will be organized for October (weather permitting).

Lectures:  Wed., Fri.  12:30-1:20 pm, PC/335
Labs: L01 Wed. 8:30-10:20 am, BSB/343; L02 Mon. 11:30-13:20 pm BSB/343

Field Work:
There will be a half-day field trip to Albion Falls in Hamilton to do a detailed field logging exercise (weather permitting). There will be a small fee for the cost of bus trip. The tentative date is Sat. Oct. 20th 8:00 am -1:00 pm.

Required Text Books/Course materials:

Course Text:
Readings will be assigned weekly in lectures.
Nichols, G. 2009. Sedimentology and Stratigraphy. 2nd Edition. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN: 9781405135924

Recommended Texts
Walker, R.G. and James, N.P., 1992.  Facies Models – response to sea level change. Geological Association of Canada, 454pp
Collinson, J.D. and Thompson, D.B., 1982. Sedimentary Structures.  Allen and Unwin, 194p. (also 1989 edition)
Miall, A.D., 1990. Sedimentary basin analysis. Springer-Verlag, New York., 668 p.
Reading, H.G., 1986. Sedimentary Environments and Facies (2nd ed.), Blackwell Scientific, Oxford, 615 pp.

 

Evaluation:

Labs 1, 2, 3, 4 (5% each)        20%
Labs 5, 6 (10% each)              20%                
Mid-term test                          15%                                        

Final exam                               45%

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty consists of misrepresentation by deception or by other fraudulent means and can result in serious consequences, e.g. the grade of zero on an assignment, loss of credit with a notation on the transcript (notation reads: “Grade of F assigned for academic dishonesty”), and/or suspension or expulsion from the university.

The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty:

  • Plagiarism, e.g. the submission of work that is not one’s own or for which other credit has been obtained.

  • Improper collaboration in group work.

  • Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations.

It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty. For information on the various kinds of academic dishonesty please refer to the Academic Integrity Policy, located at http://www.mcmaster.ca/policy/Students-AcademicStudies/AcademicIntegrity.pdf

The instructor and university reserve the right to modify elements of the course during the term. The university may change the dates and deadlines for any or all courses in extreme circumstances. If either type of modification becomes necessary, reasonable notice and communication with the students will be given with explanation and the opportunity to comment on changes. It is the responsibility of the student to check their McMaster email and course websites weekly during the term and to note any changes.