FACIES MODELS

Sedimentology 340
Pages 241-243
Previous Work
Majority of the semester has been largely
descriptive, identifying;
Lithology & mineralogy
Sedimentary fabric and texture
Sedimentary structures
Scales of observation

Now a Story to tell and puzzles to solve
Sediments are products of sedimentary processes
Snapshot of the environment of deposition
Sedimentary Facies
Facies analysis
The interpretation of rocks and sediments for the
purpose of reconstructing the processes that were
responsible for the original deposition
Multi-pronged approach
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Lithofacies and Biofacies
Example of sedimentary facies modal:
Delta distributary channel
Pardon me, what are facies?
In the field of geology, facies is often misused
and misunderstood
AGI (1984) Definition:
The aspect, appearance, and characteristics of a
rock unit, usually reflecting the conditions of its
origin; especially as differentiating it from adjacent
or associated units
Facies!
Refers to the lithologic and biologic
characteristics of a sedimentary deposit
imparted by the processes collectively
operating in the depositional environment

Facies defined
Deposits that evolve in a specific
depositional environment are considered
to be sedimentary facies
Ex. Arid desert lakes/salt flats
Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah
For this class and facies will be defined
as
A description of physical, chemical and
biological properties of a sedimentary unit

Main criteria in facies definition are:
Lithology, sedimentary structures,
paleontology, and sediment body geometry
Facies defined
Sediment body geometry is the 3-D shape of deposit
barrier island
Question?
What are you looking at? How can you describe it in the
framework of its depositional environment?
?
This is a delta
How do we know?
Delta
Delta is at the end of a river and is the sedimentary
record of deposition into deeper water
Nile Delta Example
Modern examples are used
to gather data on processes
and deposits (cores)
Facies model - a 3-D block
diagram
Delta
depositional
environment?
Facies model 2-D vertical succession diagram
Depositional environments are generally composed of
multiple subenvironments

Ex. Delta
Thus, we can expect that facies will vary throughout the
environment to reflect the transition between
subenvironments

We must assume that adjacent facies represent adjacent
environments
So question was.how do we know ?
Answer: facies associations
Delta components and facies
So how are they related?
The association of certain facies near or adjacent
to each other are characteristic of distinct
depositional environments
Based on observations from modern
environments of deposition and parallels to
past environments
By understanding these associations, we can
generate facies models
3-D Block daigram
facies associations in a
delta distributary
channel environment
4-D models
add
understanding
of processes
General summary given to a depositional system

2-D Vertical successions of sediment that
represent facies relationships expected in the
geologic record

3-D Block Diagrams

4-D Models detailing sedimentary processes
Facies Models
Facies that occur in comformable vertical successions of
strata also occur in laterally adjacent environments

Thus, facies boundaries may shift so that the deposits of an
adjacent environment may lie directly atop those of a
laterally related environment
Walthers Law of Correlation of Facies
Takeaway Message:

For any sedimentary package you can examine the facies
and their relationships to each other, apply a facies model
and assign a depositional environment
So, what is this?
fluvial
delta
marine
Catskill Delta builds westward through time with sediment delivered by rivers
Catskill Delta (Devonian)
Regressive- sediments
coarsen upwards
barrier island
3-D Barrier Island Facies Model
The shoreline shifts
landward and fine grained
marine sediments will
overly coarser beach
sediments
Environments are dependent on sediment supply,
subsidence and changing sea level
With rise in sea level ..
Conditions (tectonics or climate) usually
change with time
Transgressive
sediments fine upwards,
Transgressive and Regressive systems can be
identified by observing facies and lithological
changes in rock/sediment

Transgressive sediments fine upwards,
represent deeper water environments

Regressive- sediments coarsen upwards,
represents shallowing effect
Facies
Changes
What factors control the nature and distribution
of facies?

1. Sedimentary Processes
2. Sediment Supply
3. Climate
4. Tectonics (subsidence or uplift)
5. Sea level change
Facies Distribution
What facies would you expect to find from this
depositional environment?

Fluvial Environment
Meandering River
Cross bedded sandstones
Coarse gravel deposits
Broad sheets of silty shale with
root casts and plant debris
Isolated Shale bodies
Beds of peat and coal

Facies models help solve the puzzle
of depositional environment
Summary using an example