Skip to main content.
Earth and Environmental Sciences Home > Courses > Geology Courses > GEOL 311 - Sedimentation and Stratigraphy

GEOL 311 - Sedimentation and Stratigraphy

photo - rock

Geology 311 Sedimentation and Stratigraphy 

Dr. McConnell 

Office phone: 6541423 email rmcconne@umw.edu

Office Hours by appointment and email.

Text:  Prothero and Schwab, Sedimentary Geology. 
Strongly recommended: regular web searches using google.com or your favorite search engine.

General schedule of interactive session (class)  topics 

Week beginning:               Topic      Reading Assignment 

8/26-------------Introduction: siliciclastic and carbonate  Ch 1, 15. 
                  rocks. Attributes of sediments. Elements of physical stratigraphy.

9/ 02------ Physical stratigraphy. Attributes of sedimentary rocks Ch  15.
9/09-------------Siliciclastic sediments and sedimentary rocks..           Ch. 2, 3. 5, 6.
                  Analysis of sedimentary structures.   Ch 4.
9/16-------------The graphic log and the facies model.   Ch 8
9/23 ------------Fluvial systems and facies models.   Ch 8.

9/30-------------Fluvial systems; coarse alluvial systems. Deltas. Ch 9.

10/07------------Deltaic facies models.    . Ch 8-9, 1-6, 15.

1014 -----------No class 10/14,15, Fall Break.  Intro to carbonates. Ch 11.

10/21------------Carbonate sediments and environments.   Ch 11-12.
Carbonate facies models: the shallowing-upward  Ch 11, 12, other.                     sequence.

10/28------------Carbonate facies models.

11/04------------Carbonate environments. Reefs.  Stromatolites. Ch 11, 12, other.

11/11------------Stromatolites. Turbidites and turbidite facies models.  Ch. 10.

11/18------------Turbidites. Sedimentation and tectonics.
11/25------------Sedimentation and tectonics. No class 11/27, 29 Thanksgiving.
          Ch. 19, other.

12/02------------Summary and review.     Ch 19, other.

Objectives: To become proficient in field and laboratory techniques; to prepare concise and accurate reports and be able to discuss them; to demonstrate understanding of fundamental concepts such as the facies model and importance of sedimentary structures; to demonstrate familiarity with key facies models such as peritidal carbonates; to demonstrate understanding of the significance of sedimentary rocks in terrestrial evolution. To be able to describe important aspects of sediments and sedimentary rocks under the microscope. To become proficient in important aspects of the Stratigraphic Code. Grade based on regular quizzes(1/3), a comprehensive final(1/3), and a number of lab and field assignments (1/3). 

Field/(lab) schedule

All students should have the following equipment on field trips: pencils and notepads, hand lens, centimeter scale, hammer, suitable footwear.

GENERAL SCHEDULE OF TOPICS

Week Beginning: (Remember lab meets 1-4 on Friday, unless otherwise specified) 

8/26---------------------Introduction to lab materials and techniques (brief meeting)..
.
9/ 2---------------------Introduction to grain size analysis; field/lab. Goodloe Sand and Gravel Co.(Local) Hard hat required.(10% of lab grade: back by 3 p.m.)

9/09 ---------------------Grain size, compositional studies of siliciclastics. Roundness, sorting
                         and other attributes. Lab work scheduled at your convenience.

9/16 ---------------------Sieving and analysis. Work scheduled at your convenience. Report on sieving due 9/27, 10.00 a.m.. (20% of lab practicum grade).

9/23 ---------------------Field studies, siliciclastics. Culpeper Stone Co. ( I hope: date subject to change). Graphic log techniques(10% of lab practicum grade).  Hard hat required.

9/30 --------------------Discussion of graphic logs.  Lab study, siliciclastic rocks. 

Oct 7 --------------------No lab (early Fall Break!) 

Oct 14--------------------Carbonate rock samples.

Oct 21-------------------- Field trip--Harrisonburg VA carbonates*
* No Lab Friday: Field trip Saturday  Oct 26, Carbonate facies models. depart 8:30 a.m., lunch provided. Harrisonburg, Va. area, early Paleozoics.  (20% lab grade including report) 

Oct 28-------------------- Lexington VA carbonates field trip *.
* No lab Friday: Field trip Saturday, 11/02, depart 8:30 a.m., lunch provided. Lexington, Va. Hard hat required.
(20% lab grade including report).

Nov 4--------------------Carbonate specimens lab study.

11/ 11--------------------Sedimentary rock quiz.(10% lab grade).

11/ 18--------------------. Conococheague Formation exercise (10% of lab practicum grade).

11/ 25-------------------- No lab. Thanksgiving
12/ 04   Classes end.

You may choose double credit for any one 10% report making it count 20%. Indicate in writing after work is returned. You must select the lab to be doubled within one week of receiving it back.