Description
An all-new edition of one of the most influential books in the earth sciences, endorsed by the International Association of Sedimentologists
Richly illustrated with hundreds of new images, this is a completely new edition of the well-known classic text Reading’s Sedimentary Environments: Processes, Facies and Stratigraphy. The book again delivers an objective, thorough overview of the different ways in which sedimentary rocks are best described and interpreted via an understanding of sedimentary process using facies analysis. Throughout, this fourth edition covers the most recent work on sedimentary facies, processes and environments as well as the dynamics of stratigraphy, especially with respect to understanding preservation, extreme events, climate, tectonics and sea-level change. It includes extensive illustrations of the resulting 3D geometries using seismic imagery as well as outcrop and core data.
The main part of the book comprises specific chapters for each important depositional environment, from terrestrial to coastal and deep sea settings. Each chapter can be used independently, as each provides a standalone discussion of how to reconstruct a particular sedimentary environment through facies analysis of rock successions, cores, or in some cases, seismic data or vertical petrophysical log profiles.
New content in this edition covers:
- An overview of diverse methodologies of facies analysis and environmental reconstruction, including landscape system approaches, illustrated by extensive case studies
- Biogenic sedimentary structures, their formational processes and use in facies analysis
- A discussion of sequence stratigraphy methodology and the biases produced by the preservation filter on the sedimentary record
- Extraterrestrial sedimentology as illustrated by the sedimentary facies of Mars, the moons of Jupiter, and other solar system bodies
- Research directions and current developments in line with broad approaches to Earth Systems Science
Reading’s Sedimentary Environments is a valuable learning resource for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers and professionals in earth sciences, in particular geology, geochemistry, oceanography, and geoengineering. This book is endorsed and supported by the International Association of Sedimentologists (IAS), the premier professional organization in the field.
Table of Contents
List of Contributors xxiii
Foreword xxvii
Preface xxix
About the Companion Website xxxi
1 Introduction 1
Bruce Levell
Summary 1
1.1 Motivation for This Book 1
1.2 Structure of the Book 2
Further Reading 4
References 4
2 Facies Analysis – Principles and Practice 5
Howard D. Johnson, Mike Mayall, and John J.G. Reijmer
Summary 5
2.1 Introduction 5
2.2 Facies Analysis – Basic Concepts and Hierarchy 24
2.3 Methodologies and Applications 57
2.4 Depositional Models 63
2.5 Debatable Depositional Models 69
2.6 Case Studies 71
Further Reading 119
References 120
3 The Application of Biogenic Structures to Facies Analysis 133
James A. MacEachern, Murray K. Gingras, and Kerrie L. Bann
Summary 133
3.1 Introduction 133
3.2 Applications of Ichnology to Facies Analysis 136
3.3 Ichnological Frameworks 146
3.4 Ichnology and Sequence Stratigraphy 178
3.5 Applying an Integrated Ichnological-Sedimentological Approach to Facies Successions 179
3.6 Conclusions 187
Acknowledgements 187
References 187
4 The Stratigraphic Record: Preservation, Facies and Depositional Sequences 195
Bruce Levell and Frans van Buchem
Summary 195
4.1 Introduction 195
4.2 Facies Successions and Sequences – Understanding Stratigraphic Architecture 196
4.3 The Stratigraphic Record – Different Perspectives 212
4.4 Sequence Stratigraphic Methodology 223
4.5 The Sedimentary Record in Time – The Processes of Deposition and Preservation 245
4.6 Summary 259
Further Reading 260
References 260
5 Alluvial Sediments 269
Martin R. Gibling, Alessandro Ielpi, Massimiliano Ghinassi, and Luis A. Buatois
Summary 269
5.1 Introduction 269
5.2 Terminology 271
5.3 Common Fluvial Styles Around the World 275
5.4 Alluvial Processes 283
5.5 Facies Analysis: Conceptual Approach 292
5.6 Facies and Facies Successions 294
5.7 Facies Associations 302
5.8 Geomorphic Units 310
5.9 Alluvial Architecture 324
5.10 Palaeoflow Analysis 336
5.11 Trace Fossils in Alluvial Systems 341
5.12 Basin Architecture 347
5.13 Controls on Alluvial Systems 349
5.14 River Profiles and Preservation 353
5.15 Sequence Stratigraphy 356
5.16 Geological Applications 363
5.17 Anthropogenic Changes to Rivers 368
5.18 Areas of Future Research 371
Further Reading 372
References 372
6 Lake Environments 395
Chenglin Gong, Shunli Li, Ronald J. Steel, Xinghe Yu, Luis A. Buatois, and Xiaomin Zhu
Summary 395
6.1 Introduction 396
6.2 Environments 396
6.3 Processes 399
6.4 Facies 404
6.5 Lacustrine Sequence Stratigraphy 435
6.6 Controls 450
6.7 Geological Applications 452
Further Reading 453
References 454
7 Aeolian Environments 463
Nigel P. Mountney, Grace I. E. Cosgrove, and Luca Colombera
Summary 463
7.1 Introduction 464
7.2 Environments 468
7.3 Processes and Landforms 472
7.4 Facies 500
7.5 Architectural Elements and Bounding Surfaces 512
7.6 Aeolian Facies Models 522
7.7 Sequence Stratigraphy 530
7.8 Geological Applications 543
Further Reading 549
References 549
8 Sand-Rich Coasts and Shallow Clastic Seas 571
Daniel S. Collins and Gary J. Hampson
Summary 571
8.1 Introduction 572
8.2 Environments 574
8.3 Processes 587
8.4 Facies, Facies Associations, Facies Successions and Facies Models 610
8.5 Stratigraphic Patterns and Organisation (‘Descriptive Sequence Stratigraphy’) 632
8.6 Controls on Stratigraphic Organisation 647
8.7 Applications 651
8.8 Future Research Directions 655
Acknowledgements 656
Further Reading 656
References 656
9 Fine-Grained Siliciclastic Coastal and Shallow-Marine Sediments 671
Bruce Levell and Guy Plint
Summary 671
9.1 Introduction 672
9.2 Late Holocene Muddy Depositional Systems 681
9.3 Processes 690
9.4 Modern Mudstone Facies 700
9.5 Late Holocene Facies-Associations 707
9.6 Stratal Architecture and Facies – Ancient Examples 710
Further Reading 733
References 733
10 Marine Evaporite Systems 743
Stephen W. Lokier and Marcello Natalicchio
Summary 743
10.1 Introduction 743
10.2 Environments of Marine Evaporite Formation 744
10.3 Processes of Marine Evaporite Formation 752
10.4 Marine Evaporite Facies 780
10.5 Stratigraphic Architecture of Evaporite Sequences 794
10.6 Evaporite Sequence Stratigraphic Models 798
10.7 Applications 817
Further Reading 819
References 820
11 Marine Carbonates 839
Frans van Buchem, John J.G. Reijmer, and Emmanuelle Vennin
Summary 839
11.1 Introduction 839
11.2 Descriptive Terminology and Classification Systems 841
11.3 Chemical and Mineralogical Aspects 850
11.4 Biological and Physical Aspects 866
11.5 Marine Carbonate Factories 874
11.6 Marine Carbonate Facies Models and Depositional Environments 891
11.7 Stratigraphic Architecture 933
11.8 Concluding Remarks 961
Further Reading 962
References 963
12 Deep-Water Detrital Systems 1033
David M. Hodgson, Elda Miramontes, Ian A. Kane, and Christopher A.-L. Jackson
Summary 1033
12.1 Introduction 1033
12.2 Environmental Configurations 1038
12.3 Sediment Transport Processes 1050
12.4 Bedforms and Bed Types 1059
12.5 Architectural Elements and Hierarchy 1072
12.6 Stratigraphic Controls 1082
12.6.4 Subsurface Case Studies 1090
Further Reading 1094
References 1095
13 Pelagic Environments 1109
Stuart A. Robinson
Summary 1109
13.1 Introduction 1109
13.2 Modern Pelagic Sedimentation: Processes and Products 1111
13.3 Modern Pelagic Depositional Environments and Sediment Distribution 1131
13.4 The Geological Record of Pelagic Sedimentation: Processes and Products 1135
13.5 Facies Associations and Successions of Pelagic Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks from Cores and Outcrops 1150
13.6 Significance and Applications of Pelagic Sediments and Environments 1173
Further Reading 1179
References 1180
14 Glacial Landsystems 1191
Bethan Davies, Clare Boston, and Daniel Paul Le Heron
Summary 1191
14.1 Introduction 1191
14.2 Characteristics of Glaciers 1192
14.3 Processes 1198
14.4 Glacial Facies Analysis 1210
14.5 Glacial Landsystems 1216
14.6 Conclusions 1252
Further Reading 1252
References 1253
15 Extraterrestrial Sedimentology 1269
Mathieu Lapôtre, Lauren Edgar, and Sanjeev Gupta
Summary 1269
15.1 Introduction 1269
15.2 Sediment Transport Processes in the Solar System 1274
15.3 Sedimentary Geology of Mars 1289
15.4 Other Sedimentary Systems in the Solar System 1309
15.5 The Future of Planetary Sedimentology: From Earth Outwards and Back 1315
Further Reading 1317
References 1318
Index 1339
Afterword 1357
