Sedimentation, stratigraphy and biostratigraphy
Professor Ray Cas and Dr Patricia Vickers-Rich
4 points * 9 hours per week * First semester * Clayton
This subject deals with the characterisation of sedimentary processes and their products in present day marine and terrestrial environments. Interpretation of past depositional environments from the textures, structures, and mineralogy of sedimentary rocks. Relationships between depositional environments and tectonic processes. Consideration of large scale stratigraphic relationships and changes in sediment types through time. A brief look at fossil groups important in drawing biostratigraphic and palaeoecological inferences. Emphasis is given to Pre-Cambrian and Palaeozoic faunas, especially stromatolites, trace fossils, graptolites and brachiopods.
Assessment
Examinations (2 hours): 65% * Practical work/Fieldwork: 35%
Prescribed texts
Boggs S Principles of sedimentology and stratigraphy Merrill, 1987
Clarkson E N Invertebrate palaeontology and evolution 2nd edn, Allen and Unwin, 1987