...| Sedimentary Rocks | Sci. 245 Week 5 Assignment | | Bree Odion | 7/24/2011 | | SEDIMENTARY ROCKS Introduction to Sedimentary Rocks The most common rock on Earth’s surface is sedimentary. Sandstone, limestone, and salt are all forms of sedimentary rocks to name a few. (National Atlas of the United States n.d.) This paper will explore the origination of sedimentary rocks; categories associated with sedimentary rocks; and compare the distinguishing characteristics of the three. The discussion will also include how sedimentary rocks are formed and affect of plate tectonics on rocks. Sedimentary rocks are our best records today of how our earth is changing everyday and the best to describe to us why it is changing. Not only can geologists tell based on the shape, and deposits made of sediment but we can tell by the fossils that are made within the sediment rock. This allows us to know things about our earth from billions of years ago that we may have not known if h had not been for sediment. Where Sedimentary Rocks Originate Sedimentary rocks originate from the weathering and erosion of pre-existing rocks. When sediment is deposits it lithifies to create new rocks. Sedimentary rocks occur when sediments, weathered fragments from older rocks as well as biological debris like leaves, trees, and dead animals, are deposited and stay in place long enough for rock to form. It is known that sedimentary rocks contain sandstones, shale’s, and coal seams...
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...CheckPoint: Sedimentary Rocks Sedimentary Rocks form on the Earth’s surface. Sediment carried by water or wind accumulates in troughs, trenches, and basins. This sediment forms layers that go through a process called lithification. Lithification is the group of process by which loose sediment is transformed into sedimentary rock (Murck, Skinner, & Mackenzie, 2008). This means the separate particles are joined together to from rock. The process of lithification begins with compaction. Compaction happens when the weight of continuing sediment places pressure on lower layers of sediment. This pressure reduces the pore space. There are two other ways compaction may occur; cementation and crystallization. Cementation is when the water within the sediment evaporates making the pores smaller and crystallization is when new crystalline mineral grains form from old ones. Sedimentary rocks have been divided into 3 categories; clastic, chemical and biogenic. Clastic sedimentary rocks are a combination of mineral debris and fragments of rocks that were formed by erosion and weather. Clastic rocks are often characterized by the size of their grains. Chemical sedimentary rocks are formed from the inorganic deposition of chemicals. This process takes place through the evaporation of a chemical rich solution. The chemicals generally come from the chemical weathering of other rocks and sediments. Biogenic sedimentary rocks are formed from organic material such as decomposed...
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...Sedimentary Rocks Sedimentary rocks are very complex rocks that give us information on our past. Distinguishable characteristics such as color, size, and rounding of the sediments tell scientists about the environment that was once there long ago. How are the sediments formed to preserve this archive of our past? The system of how a rock is formed from sediment is complex and can occur without even knowing. The first step is the sediment. Sediments are tiny particles that are shaved off of rocks, soil, and other solid objects by a fluid source. These sources can include wind, water, and ice. In order to break down this process, the types of sediments must be introduced. Clastic Sediment Clastic sediment is formed from rock and mineral debris as a result of weathering and erosion. The clasts come in a variety of sizes and this is how they are classified. The biggest of the clasts is gravel. Gravel is classified as sediment with pea-sized or larger particles. When gravel becomes compacted and forms a rock, it is known as a conglomerate. The next type of clast is sand. Sand sediments are smaller than gravel, usually the size of a pinhead. When sand hardens, it forms a rock known as sandstone. Getting even smaller is silt. Silt is around the size of a grain of salt. Silt can form into siltstone once compacted and hardened. Finally, there is clay. Clay can be the size of flour particles, or even smaller. Mudstone or shale is the result of rock formation. Another type of sediment...
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...Associate Level Material Sedimentary Rock Worksheet Use the following table to describe and distinguish between the effects of weathering and erosion. Each response must be at least 200 words. Effects of Weathering Effects of Erosion What are the Differences? Mechanical or physical weathering includes two main processes: fracturing and abrasion, which may be intense in wet and dry regions. Wind, rain, snow, ice and other geological events cause mechanical weathering. This type of weathering leads to splitting of rocks and minerals into fragments. Big and sudden changes in air temperature, which are very common in deserts or water temperature changes, always cause expansion or contraction of minerals. For example, when water enters a crack and freezes, it widens the crack and eventually leads to breaking of the surface. Plant roots have a similar effect when they grow so big that they reach the crack in the rock. At some point, the rock will fall apart. This type of weathering changes the mineral composition of rocks by chemical processes and it can sometimes lead to dangerous conditions. Water is the basic agent in chemical weathering because it initiates the whole process. Some of its effects are oxidation (rusting), hydration and carbonization. Chemical weathering also causes loss of chemical elements by solution in water. Caves, stalactites and stalagmites are created by different chemical processes of weathering Sheet erosion is soil movement from raindrop...
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...Associate Level Material Sedimentary Rock Worksheet Use the following table to describe and distinguish between the effects of weathering and erosion. Each response must be at least 200 words. |Effects of Weathering |Effects of Erosion |What are the Differences? | |Weathering breaks down and decomposes |Erosion removes materials from the surface |The difference between weathering and | |rocks. There are chemical and mechanical |and changes it into something else. The |erosion is no movement is involved in | |types of weathering. The mechanical version|hydraulic actions transport solid material |weathering. If an item is loosened | |of weathering breaks down rock material |such as sedimentary rocks from one area to |mechanically or chemically and stays in the| |into smaller pieces with no chemical |another area where it is then deposited. |same place in which it happens the process | |composition of the weathered material. |Erosion degrades the land. When the land or|of weathering has occurred. If the | |Chemical weathering breaks down rocks using|road get better grades are degraded it |weathered item starts to move, for instance| |a chemical agent; acid rain is an example |causes excessive damage over time. Erosion |the movement could be caused by wind, or in| |of chemical weathering. Biological |could cause cities, towns, and tax payers...
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...Associate Level Material Sedimentary Rock Worksheet Use the following table to describe and distinguish between the effects of weathering and erosion. Each response must be at least 200 words. |Effects of Weathering |Effects of Erosion |What are the Differences? | |Weathering is a process in which the |Erosion is a natural process and can be |The main difference between these two | |surface of rock starts to break down. Two |healthy for the ecosystem. When material is|processes seems to be that while weathering| |types of weathering exist: chemical and |removed from one location, it is inevitably|causes effects at the site of the rock, | |mechanical. |placed somewhere else; this is called |erosion causes effects at a site other than| |Chemical weathering occurs when the rock |deposition. Both erosion and deposition are|that which was weathered. Weathering | |begins to break down and the chemical |natural processes. But when human |involves two processes that often work in | |composition changes as a result. These |activities substantially alter, increase or|concert to decompose rocks. Both processes | |chemical reactions break down the bonds |impede the natural movement of sediment, |occur in place. No movement is involved in | |holding the rocks together, causing them to|serious damage can occur. As stated, human...
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...All about Sedimentary Rocks Zakk Wylde SCI/245 January 30, 2011 Stephen Hallin The changing plate interactions and shifting plate junctures, helps us to understand the sedimentary basins. Although plate tectonics is mostly about the horizontal movements of the lithosphere, it also involves large vertical movements which accounts for changes of the crust thickness. Thick sedimentation has to have an initial depression or progressive subsidence to proceed; the auxiliary vertical movements are what mostly control the sedimentary basins (how they evolve). Geographic changes related to the governing horizontal movements also affect patterns of sedimentation strongly. Therefore, sedimentation can be viewed as the result of a succession of discrete plate tectonic settings, and plate interactions whose effects blend into a continuum of development. Sedimentary rocks are composed from deposits of material worn away from pre-existing rocks. “The word sedimentary comes from the Latin word sedimentum, which means settling. They come from the cementation of sediments that result from the erosion of older rocks. The characteristic feature of sedimentary rocks is their stratification or layering. Examples of sedimentary rock include; chalk, coal, limestone, sandstone...
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...Associate Level Material Sedimentary Rock Worksheet Use the following table to describe and distinguish between the effects of weathering and erosion. Each response must be at least 200 words. |Effects of Weathering |Effects of Erosion |What are the Differences? | |Through mechanical and chemical weathering |Erosion is a term that describe the |Weathering involves two processes that | |of exposed rocks on Earth's surface chunks |transport of regolith from one place to |often work in concert to decompose rocks. | |of once embedded in bedrock are now exposed|another as oppose to weathering which |Both processes occur in place. No movement | |to the elements and over time they break |happens in place. Both processes can |is involved in weathering. Chemical | |down. Feldspar crystals in granite break |happen at the same time where weathering |weathering involves a chemical change in at| |down to form clay minerals. Other materials|can cause and rock to break down and then |least some of the minerals within a rock. | |such as quartz break down into sand which |materials from that are then transported |Mechanical weathering involves physically | |varies in grain sizes. "Seditment with |elsewhere by the wind in an erosion |breaking rocks into fragments without | |grain sizes between those of sand and clay |process. Fluids that cause the most erosion|changing...
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...Sedimentary rock is classified into three categories detrital, chemical/biochemical, and organic -based on their sedimentary processing. The sedimentary process is a result of the transport process by which the rocks become rounded as a consequence of some type of abrasion from being transport and deposited. Most commonly this occurs through weathering, rain, streamflow, erosion, or wind. The other forces that create sedimentary rock are generated from either chemical precipitation/crystallization or a process called lithification of what once was organic matter. This process involves the chemical breakdown of the source material that requires heat, dissolution, new minerals produced from the weathering process. The most significant characteristic of sedimentary rocks is the that are stratified. This means that sediments of any particular time period are arranged in a different layer that lays beneath and over equally different layers of time periods older and younger than itself. Detrital Detrital sedimentary rocks are a combination of conglomerate, sandstone, and shale/mudstone. These are primarily composed of other fragmented rocks. Based on the size they are subdivided into the various mentioned categories. Conglomerates are consolidated gravel deposits with variable amounts of sand and mud between the pebbles and are the least abundant of sediment type. They are primarily found in mountain streams, along margins of mountain ranges. The source rock of a conglomerate can...
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...schedule Now that I’m about to complete the semester I am ready to show just how much I learned. Sedimentary landforms are created by tiny particles of earth. These particles can be anything from stone to glass or tile. These particles are caused by weathering which is described as any natural force that breaks rocks into smaller pieces. The particles get washed away by rain, wind and water and eventually are deposited at the basin of rivers, lakes and oceans. When one layer solidifies another begins. This is known as deposition, one key factor is that these particles begin to settle so that the heavier pieces settle first and they settle deep. The smaller particles then build on top of them. After all of the deposition is done erosion takes place. During this process the rocks are weathered again. Then these particles undergo the lithification process by changing into rocks by compaction and cementation. The mineralogy of sedimentary rocks is made up of grains and cement. The clastic rocks were physically transported by wind, water, glaciers or gravity. When these rocks can no longer be moved they are deposited in either a high energy environment or a low energy environment. High energy environments include; storm dominated beaches, landslides and places were tsunamis occur. Low energy environments include lagoons, deep oceans, and deep lakes. Textures can range for clastic rocks. The particle size can be anywhere from a hundredth of a millimeter to 2 millimeters. Clay is very...
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...Carboniferous era of geological time frame. These eras were From 350 million to 300 million years ago. Originally, the area was at the bottom of an ancient ocean. Over millions of years the land surface changed and plant life formed in higher areas. As the sea flooded into low areas, swamps and bogs were formed. Eventually, trees and plants fell into the water and decayed. The decaying matter was buried by sand and clay. The pressure caused by the weight of the decaying matter formed fossils and coal. The main type of rock found in Mill Creek Park is sedimentary. Sandstone cliffs are visible throughout the park as well as shale. The sandstone shows signs of weathering as yellow and reddish brown streaks are visible. Fossils of plant life can found near Lanterman Bridge. Coal and iron ore are also present in the park. The effects of the Ice Age can be seen at the area of present day Lanterman’s Gorge. The glaciers could not cut into the solid rock easily. Through the passage of time, the softer material was washed away causing rapids then a waterfall. It is also believed that the Mahoning River originally flowed north towards present day Lake Erie. After the glaciers came through they caused a reversal in the way water drained. References John S. Pertek....
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...extraction of oil and gas from seabed is slowly facing its limit. So we engineers ask you, are there any alternative resources for us? Fortunately, shale gas gives the answer for that. This report includes * Shale gas description * Shale gas drilling, hydraulic fracturing method * Economic perspective of shale gas * Technical relation to environmental issues and its solutions <What is shale gas?> Shale gas is natural gas that is present in shale rocks. There are different types of sedimentary rock that contain natural gas deposits such as sandstones, limestone, or shales. Based on the information on the website of Shale Training & Education Center (Shale Tec), it can be explained that sandstone rocks often have high permeability and it means that the rock has a lot of tiny pores that are well connected and gas can flow easily through the pores from one point to the other point. In contrast, shale rocks usually have very low permeability. This physical character of shale rock makes it complex and difficult to extract gas. Shale gas is considered a so-called “unconventional...
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...BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY RESEARCH REPORT NUMBER RR 99–03 BGS Rock Classification Scheme Volume 3 Classification of sediments and sedimentary rocks C R Hallsworth and R W O’B Knox Subject index Bibliographical Reference Rock classification, sediments and sedimentary rocks Hallsworth, C R, and Knox, R W O’B. 1999 BGS Rock Classification Scheme Volume 3 Classification of sediments and sedimentary rocks. British Geological Survey Research Report, RR 99–03. © NERC Copyright 1999 British Geological Survey Keyworth Nottingham NG12 5GG UK HOW TO NAVIGATE THIS DOCUMENT HOW TO NAVIGATE THIS DOCUMENT u The general pagination is designed for hard copy use and does not correspond to PDF thumbnail pagination. u The main elements of the table of contents are bookmarked enabling direct links to be followed to the principal section headings and sub-headings, figures and tables irrespective of which part of the document the user is viewing. u In addition, the report contains links: 1 from the principal section and sub-section headings back to the contents page, 1 from each reference to a figure or table directly to the corresponding figure or table, 1 from each figure or table caption to the first place that figure or table is mentioned in the text and 1 from each page number back to the contents page. Return to contents page Contents 1 Introduction 1.1 Principles of this classification 1.2 Summary of the structure and development of the classification scheme 1...
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...The Messel Shale Pit is located approximately 35 kilometers southeast of Frankfurt Germany in a town called Hesse. The pit is 1000 meters long, 700 meters wide, and currently, stretches 60 meters deep. It has been dated back to the Eocene age which was fifty four to thirty seven and a half million years ago. Eocene is Greek for “New Dawn”, and is most often recognized as the age of the first large land mammals. The Pit was once a former quarry and was used from 1859 to 1971 for mining oil shale. Oil Shale is a fine grained sedimentary rock in which hydrocarbons or oil shale, can be produced. The area is considered to be a lake that sat within a volcanic crater. The oil shales in the area are said to be the result of a heavy presence of algae. The toxic gases omitted from the volcanic crater are thought to be the reason for such a high number of land animals having been fossilized. It wasn’t until 1875 that the first fossil, a crocodile, had been discovered. Since then, numerous fish and sea creatures, thirty one plant species, 45 mammals, and 43 species of bird have been discovered. Some even had stomach contents and tissue still intact. There is no doubt that the area is extremely important to the world of science. In 1971, the Messel Shale Pit almost became a waste dump, but thankfully the plans for the dump fell through. It wasn’t until 1991 that the site was purchased by the Hessen State for over 35 million marks. The site had contributed so much to science and education...
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...Part 1: Recording Observations In the following chart, record your observations of each test for the seven minerals. After you have completed all tests, name the minerals in Part 2 of this worksheet. An example of how to fill out the chart is illustrated follows. Recorded Observations for Minerals 1-7 Tests Example Mineral 1 Mineral 2 Mineral 3 Mineral 4 Mineral 5 Mineral 6 Mineral 7 Color White Gold Green White Pink White White Black Streak White Black White White White White White Brown Luster Shiny Shiny Specks Shiny Specks Shiny Dull Shiny Shiny Shiny Specks Specific Gravity 3.18 5.1 2.8 2.7 2.6 2.65 2.4 2.2 Cleavage & Fracture Cleavage Fracture Fracture Cleavage Fracture Fracture Cleavage Fracture Hardness 4 3.1-5.4 1-2.9 1-2.9 3.1-5.4 6.1-10 1-2.9 1-2.9 Acid No Reaction No Reaction No Reaction Active bubbling and Fizz No reaction No reaction No Reaction Light bubbling and fizz Part 2: Naming the Minerals Name the minerals in the following table. Then, insert a percentage of how certain you are in your identification. Finally, explain your percentage of certainty: What was confusing about this mineral? What other minerals do you think it could be? Remember, the minerals include seven of the following: borax, calcite, corundum, graphite, gypsum, orthoclase feldspar, pyrite, quartz, talc, and topaz. Identification of Mineral Percent Certain Explanation of Certainty Example: Fluorite 80% certain I am almost certain this mineral is fluorite, but I am...
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