Study guide on Rocks, Fossils, Time
1. Know everything about the characteristics of sedimentary rocks, and their meaning
(Color, texture, grainsize, sorting, grain shape,
sedimentary structures such as: layering, stratification, mudcracks, cross
bedding, graded bedding, ripple marks)
2. You must know the classification of sedimentary rocks;
clastic or detrital based on grainsize; chemical and biological. I’d like you
to be able to interpret the certain sedimentary environment in which the rock
were formed. ex: oolitic limestone: tropical, arid, high energy environment).
3. You should know all the geologic principles we have
learned such as: Principle of Crosscutting, Principle of original horizontality,
principle of lateral continuity, Principle of inclusion, Principle of
unconformity, so on.
4. Learn the definition and the meaning of the following terms: Formation; facies; termination of facies (abrupt, pinching out; intertonguing, gradual change).
5. It is time to relax, so have some fun before the hard part:
Transgression, regression; how do you recognize them?
6. Walter’s low; sedimentary cycle
7. Causes of transgression, regression;
8. If your friend is there make him/her to listen to your
explanation about the importance of fossils in a sedimentary sequence. If he/she
did not hate you to much, go on, and tell her/him about the types of
preservation, and about the principle of fossil succession.
9. Explain the following terms: index fossils; fossil zone;
stratotype
10. Correlation