SGintroduction introduction to earth science

Sedimentary Geology
186-455
Introduction


Professor
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Bruce Hart

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Earth and Planetary Sciences, FDA 332,
Telephone: 398-3677
e-mail:
Office Hours: By appointment

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T.A.s
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Tim McCullagh
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Dirk Schumann
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()


Time
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Classes: Monday and Wednesday,
11:30am-12:30pm, FDA 348-49
Laboratories: Wednesday, 2:305:30pm, FDA 348-49
N.B. Two field trips will be held during
term, requiring extended time periods
on these days (to be discussed in
class).


Grading
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30 % laboratory exercises/field reports
10 % term projects/presentations

0-20 % mid-term examination
40-60 % final examination


Academic Integrity
McGill University values academic
integrity. Therefore all students must
understand the meaning and
consequences of cheating, plagiarism
and other academic offences under the
Code of Student Conduct and
Disciplinary Procedures (see
for more
information).


Text
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Boggs, S. Jr., Principles of
sedimentology and stratigraphy.
Englewood Cliffs, N.J. : Prentice Hall, 4 th
edition



Why Sedimentary Geology?
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Resources

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Most of the world’s energy supply comes
from fossil fuels derived from sedimentary
rocks
Mineral deposits (e.g., stratabound ores,
MVT deposits)
Water in aquifers
Construction materials



The Hydrocarbon Society
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In 2001, about 39% of Canada's
primary energy production was from
natural gas, followed by oil (25%),
hydropower (20%), coal (11%), and
nuclear power (5%)
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~3/4 from sedimentary rocks

Oil is the world’s most important energy
source (~36% of total consumption)


Why Sedimentary Geology?
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Employment


Why Sedimentary Geology?
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Earth and Life History
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Sedimentary record contains information
about past tectonic movements, sea-level
change, climates, etc.
Sedimentary record hosts the history of life
on Earth



Marine cement
Sponge

Encrusting algae


Capitan Limestone
Reef Reconstruction



Why Sedimentary Geology?
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Environment
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Sedimentary record contains most of what
we know about global change on geologic
timeframes
Modern sediments can record recent
physical/chemical/biological environmental
changes
Geosphere<->biosphere interactions
Contaminants in aquifers

Why Sedimentary Geology?
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Hazards/Engineering
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Sediment transport/erosion affect
engineering works (e.g., harbours,
navigation routes)
Sediment transport/erosion affect
structural stability
Sediment texture (e.g., grain size) affects
mechanical properties
Slope instability