Rocks

Rocks: aggregated mineral particles. All rocks can be classified

into three major types based on origins: igneous, sedimentary,
and metamorphic rocks

Igneous

Sedimentary

Metamorphic

Sedimentary Rocks

Sedimentary rocks form at the earth surface and are

composed of weathered rock and mineral fragments,
minerals from chemical solution, or organic matter.

75% of all rocks on the SURFACE of Earth are

sedimentary, making them the MOST abundant type of
rock on the surface of the earth.

Important host rocks for economic deposits of natural

resources, particularly fuel resources.

They record clues of past changes in the biosphere,

atmosphere and hydrosphere.

Sediment Settling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbgf9Kbqc2I

Coccolithophorids: single celled, plant-like photosynthesizers

(plates also known as coccoliths)

phytoplankton

Foraminifera (forams): single celled, amoeba-like animals

zooplankton

Oxygen Isotopes & Forams as Recoders of Climate

Colder

Warmer

Measure the 16O and 18O in

foraminifera

Evaporation removes the

lighter 16O isotope

During Glacial Periods, this

lighter isotope rains out !
Enriching ice caps in 16O AND
leaving the oceans enriched
in 18O

In the opposite case, when the

climate is very hot, icecaps
do not exist, and oceans are
no longer enriched in 18O

(from Bradley, 1999)

Sources of Sediments

Physical weathering: rocks are physically broken/deteriorate.

Ex: freeze-thaw cycles.

Chemical weathering: the chemical decomposition of rocks.

Ex: CaCO3 + H2CO3 --> Ca + 2HCO3

Chemical precipitation: the formation of minerals from

supersaturated mixtures of chemicals. Ex: rock candy.
Precipitation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRXrkcwjypw

Organic accumulation: thick deposits of organic material

deposited over time. Ex: Swamps --> coal.

Physical Weathering: Grain Abrasion

As grains are blown by wind, or moved by water, they will can be:
1) swept up and suspended
2) roll along the surface
3) skip along the surface (Saltation)
As the grains move, they are crashing into each other --> erosion!

Saltation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc4bbbwUnNE

Sliding/Rolling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpexS4-9IF0&list=PLMlnqRWsOXHoG1stdtKHtNiAl3Jt4_P5U

Suspension (and others!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=7Z0XwYkqXy4

Physical Weathering

Fracturing

Frost and mineral

wedging

Roots and
other biologic
activity

07.03.a1

Physical Weathering

Modes of Transportation

Wind

Oceans

Rivers
Glaciers

Gravity (Mass Wasting)

All Aboard!

Grains will begin to move (entrainment) only when the velocity of

the transport mechanism exceeds the critical threshold of a
particular grain size.

Grain Size and Shape

Abrasion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wjGIVi7nWY

Clast Sizes

Sand: Coarse, medium, fine

Boulders, cobbles,
pebbles

Clay and silt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHcFiI8rx_g