Remember: terms like “round” and “well sorted” have very specific definitions. In sedimentology, it is important not to over-interpret your data in a lack of evidence.

1. Look at this sediment sample (http://gigapan.com/gigapans/176844). In full detail, discuss its maturity (or lack thereof- both chemical and textural). What variables are contributing to your decision? Make sure to be explicit (including length of transport, rounding, sorting, minerals present, etc.)
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2. Using the gigapan image from #1, hypothesize about where this sediment sample might have been formed. Provide data to back up your explanation. For example, I might say that a sediment sample was formed in a shallow, high energy environment because of X, Y, or Z.
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3. Look at this sediment sample (http://gigapan.com/gigapans/168572). In full detail, discuss its maturity (or lack thereof-both textural and chemical). What variables are contributing to your decision? Make sure to be explicit (including length of transport, rounding, sorting, minerals present, etc.).
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4. Using the gigapan image from #3, hypothesize about where this sediment sample might have been formed. Provide data to back up your explanation. For example, I might say that a sediment sample was formed in a shallow, high energy environment because of X, Y, or Z. Hint: take a careful look at the materials in this sample. This might help you!
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5. What types of sedimentary structures do you think might exist in rocks that would be formed from these sediments in #3? Why? Be specific, please! Two is sufficient-but make sure you explain your reasoning clearly. There are a lot of possible answers.
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6. Look at this sediment sample (http://gigapan.com/gigapans/195400). What is the dominant mineralogy of this sample? How do you know? (in it, identify the components of the sediment)
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7. What is the sorting of the sample in #6? What does that indicate? Are there any other factors that can give us a clue about the length of transport (hint: yes)- do they agree with your earlier interpretation? Explain.
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8. What is the depositional environment of #6? How do you know? Summarize all possible lines of evidence.
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9. What is the chemical stability of this sample? (http://gigapan.com/gigapans/98840) How do you know? With this in mind, what is the compositional maturity of it? This question requires review from sed rec 1- ask for help if you need it.
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10. What type of environment do you think #9 must have formed in? Can you guess where on Earth this is from?
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11. Look at this image (http://gigapan.com/gigapans/99592). What is its textural and compositional maturity and why? Plot this rock on a ternary diagram (below). If you don’t know how to do this, ask a partner or have the instructor help you. Finally, name this rock (sandstone classification names).
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12. Give a likely depositional environment (length of transport, energy levels, etc.) on #11.
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13. Let’s get practice with understanding how sedimentary rocks tell us changes through time. Looking at the (very basic) strat column on the right, write down how energy levels have changed from the beginning to the end. Explain how you know each. This is the first step to combining what you learned in GLY 3552C with this class- it’s critical we get this. Note: the “x axis” of this indicates grain size- the longer the rectangle, the larger the grain size.
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14. How do energy levels relate to the physical environment?. Explain how you think the environment changed through time from beginning to end. In your response, clearly explain Walther’s Law and how it influences your answer.
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15. Using the image on the last page, walk through how the ocean level has changed through time in a sentence or two. Again, relate this to Walther’s Law.