The techniques available for the study of sediments and sedimentary rocks form the focus of this book. While field aspects are included, greater emphasis is placed on the laboratory examination of sediments. Each chapter provides introductory background material and then proceeds to a discussion of technique, the equipment, and its limitations. A concluding section includes examples of how the techniques can be used to solve sedimentological problems. Techniques in Sedimentology is an unrivalled textbook for undergraduate and postgraduate students and of great use to many other geologists.

This book is designed for a one-semester course in sedimentology taken by advanced undergraduate or graduate students. It gives detailed descriptions of sedimentary features and the analytical methods used to evaluate them and is intended to support and reinforce principles presented in lectures. Discussion of principles and processes is found in complimentary texts, such as Leeder's (1982) Sedimentology: process and product and selected readings in professional journals. This book is not an exhaustive treatise of laboratory techniques and theory. The subject matter includes topics generally covered in courses entitled "Sedimentology" or "Sedimentation". Sandstone and carbonate petrography is commonly given in a separate course. Furthermore, this topic is covered in several current texts. For these reasons I have omitted petrographic methods, with the exception of those applying to heavy minerals. I have included a rather extensive discussion of heavies because this topic is generally lacking in most modern texts. Every course in sedimentology is highly individualistic and material covered varies with the interests, background, and point of view of the instructor. For these reasons some topics presented in this book are not necessarily covered in all courses. Similarly some instructors may find that their favorite topic is missing. I can only hope that this problem is minimal. Several chapters contain precise exercises to be completed by the student. Some must be done in the classroom, where specimens are available for study. Others may be done outside of the classroom.

The book is structured thematically, encompassing principles, processes and products, practice and applications. Discussion of processes that control heavy mineral assemblages throughout the rock cycle are presented by leading experts, whose key-note works are followed by specialist case studies. Each work also provides details on the geology of the study area, techniques and data treatment. The high number of contributions represent the collective experience and wisdom of generations of geologists, and provide an invaluable source of references to works carried out in many parts of the world.* Presents a unique and authoritative resource of immediate relevance and practical use to the researcher and applied geologist * Contains case studies demonstrating the broad range of applications of heavy minerals in a variety of modern and ancient geological settings, and in resource exploration * Includes examples of geological problems from employing heavy mineral analysis and establishing criteria that can be applied before deciding to undertake a study

The first edition of Practical Sedimentology contained dis ACKNOWLEDGMENTS cussions of principles and techniques that could be applied to the analysis of sediments in the field and in laboratories sup Colleagues at the University of Canterbury and the Univer plied with inexpensive and commonly available equipment. sity of New England, Lismore, have helped with practical When considering a revised edition, we felt that it was inap advice on their experiences with various methodologies dis propriate to restrict consideration to the simple and common cussed in this volume. At the University of Canterbury, we techniques because so many modern analyses of sediments are particularly grateful to K. Swanson for advice on prepar use sophisticated and often expensive equipment to examine ing materials for scanning electron microscopy and paleonto sediments and sedimentary rocks. A review of the wide range logical specimens; to G. Coates (working at the university at of available techniques and equipment was not feasible in the the time of the first edition of Practical Sedimentology) for same volume as a review of principles. The original intent to compilation of, and additions to, the procedures for textural analysis and some tables and sketches; to Ted Montague for produce a concise summary of practical sediment studies in an inexpensive format was maintained, but now in the form the bulk of the chapter on borehole sedimentology; to Dr. J.

The earlier editions of this book have been used by successivegenerations of students for more than 20 years, and it is thestandard text on the subject in most British universities and manyothers throughout the world. The study of sediments and sedimentary rocks continues to be acore topic in the Earth Sciences and this book aims to provide aconcise account of their composition, mineralogy, textures,structures, diagenesis and depositional environments. This latest edition is noteworthy for the inclusion of 16 plateswith 54 colour photomicrographs of sedimentary rocks inthin-section. These bring sediments to life and show their beautyand colorful appearance down the microscope; they will aid thestudent enormously in laboratory petrographic work. The text hasbeen revised where necessary and the reference and further readinglists brought up-to-date. New tables have been included to helpundergraduates with rock and thin-section description andinterpretation. New 16-page colour section will mean students do not need tobuy Longman Atlas All illustrations redrawn to higher standard Complete revision of text - new material on sedimentarygeochemistry, etc

This unparelleled reference synthesizes the methods used in microfacies analysis and details the potential of microfacies in evaluating depositional environments and diagenetic history, and, in particular, the application of microfacies data in the study of carbonate hydrocarbon reservoirs and the provenance of archaeological materials. Nearly 230 instructive plates (30 in color) showing thin-section photographs with detailed explanations form a central part of the content. Helpful teaching-learning aids include detailed captions for hundreds of microphotographs, boxed summaries of technical terms, many case studies, guidelines for the determination and evaluation of microfacies criteria, for enclosed CD with 14000 references, self-testing exercises for recognition and characterization skills, and more

A concise account of all major branches of sedimentary geology, highlighting the connecting links between them. Introduction; Processes of sedimentation; Sedimentary texture; Sedimentary petrology; Hydraulics, sediment transportation and structures of mechanical origin; Sedimentary environments and facies; Tectonics and sedimentation; Stratigraphy and sedimentation; Basin analysis: A synthesis; References; Index.

Advanced textbook outlining the physical, chemical, and biological properties of sedimentary rocks through petrographic microscopy, geochemical techniques, and field study.