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Sedimentary Petrology GEO 333. Lab (2) Basic Classification 2009. Mansour Al-Hashim. Preview of Lab 1. Introduction Main minerals of sedimentary rocks. Objectives of Lab 2. Classification in general Classification of sedimentary rocks Clastic sedimentary rocks
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Sedimentary PetrologyGEO 333 Lab (2) Basic Classification 2009 Mansour Al-Hashim
Preview of Lab 1 • Introduction • Main minerals of sedimentary rocks
Objectives of Lab 2 • Classification in general • Classification of sedimentary rocks • Clastic sedimentary rocks • Chemical and biochemical sedimentary rocks • Fundamental constituents of sedimentary rocks
Introduction to Classification • A classification of rocks represents a theory of how these rocks were formed, and how they relate to each other. • Many classifications have been proposed for sedimentary rocks. • Since 1950, more than 50 classifications of sandstones alone have been proposed. • No one classification is fully satisfactory. • The type of classification depends on the purpose of the study being conducted.
A Good Classification • Should be as inclusive as possible. • Includes as much variety as possible. • Leaves only few or no orphan rocks. • Dose not contain any internal contradictions. • We will see several classification systems, ranging from basic to sophisticated.
Sedimentary Rock Classification • Sedimentary rocks are generally grouped into three main categories: • Siliciclastic (clastic) rocks • Chemical rocks • Biochemical rocks
Clastic (terrigenous/detrital) Sedimentary Rocks • Derived from pre-existing rocks. • Composed of physically derived components. • Sometimes referred to as extrabasinal. • Grains are mechanically durable and chemically stable. • Clasts are made of quartz, feldspar, muscovite, clay minerals, and rock fragments. • Silica (SiO2) is the major component. • Classified based on texture (grain size). • Examples: breccia, conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone, and shale.
Breccia from geology.com from geology.com Conglomerate
Chemical and Biochemical Sedimentary Rocks 1. Derived from precipitation of dissolved minerals in the solution. • Direct precipitation from seawater. The result is Chemical Rocks. • Organism extraction of the dissolved minerals from the sea. The result is Biochemical Rocks. 2. Classified based on the chemical composition. 3. Examples: limestone, chert, and chalk.
Basic Classification of Chemical and Biochemical Sedimentary Rocks
Chert from geology.com from geology.com Coquina
Fundamental Constituents of Sedimentary Rocks Sediments consist of three components: Terrigenous components Allochemical components Orthochemical components They may be mixed in almost all proportions.
(A) Terrigenous components • Derived from erosion of areas outside the depositional basin. • Brought to the basin as solids. • Examples: quartz and feldspar sand, heavy minerals, clay minerals, and chert and limestone clasts.
(B) Allochemical components • Greek: “allo” meaning different from normal. • Precipitated directly from solution within the depositional basin. • Termed “allo” because they have been moved as solids within the basin. • Examples: broken or intact shells, oolites, calcareous pellets, or fragments of carbonate sediments.
(C) Orthochemical components • Greek: “ortho” meaning true. • Termed “ortho” because they are produced chemically within the basin. • Examples: microcrystalline calcite or dolomite ooze, some evaporites, and cements in sandstones.
Notes • Classes (B) and (C) are referred to as “chemical” constituents. • Classes (A) and (B) may be termed “fragmental”.
Basic Classification of Sedimentary Rocks (1) • Sedimentary rocks are divided into five classes based on proportions of the fundamental components: • T (Terrigenous Rocks) • IA (Impure Allochemical Rocks) • IO (Impure Orthochemical Rocks) • A (Allochemical Rocks) • O (Orthochemical Rocks)
Basic Classification of Sedimentary Rocks (2) • Terrigenous Rocks (T) Examples: mudrocks, sandstones, and conglomerates. • Impure Allochemical Rocks (IA) Examples: very fossiliferous shales; sandy fossiliferous or oolitic limestones. • Impure Orthochemical Rocks (IO) Examples: clayey microcrystalline limestones.
Basic Classification of Sedimentary Rocks (3) • Allochemical Rocks (A) Examples: fossiliferous, oolitic limestones and dolomites. • Orthochemical Rocks (O) Examples: limestone, dolomite, anhydrite, and chert.
References • Journal of Geological Education, 1991,v.39,p.382. • Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks, Boggs, 1992. • Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks, Folk, 1974. • csmres.jmu.edu • geology.com