EASC 446: The Rock Cycle & Clastic Sediments
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Questions and Answers

What does compositional maturity in sandstone primarily measure?

  • Total mineral content in the rock
  • Grain size distribution
  • Color of the sandstone
  • Proportion of stable minerals to unstable minerals (correct)
  • Which mineral is most abundant in sandstone with high maturity?

  • Chert clasts
  • Feldspar
  • Lithic clasts
  • Quartz (correct)
  • What classification of sandstone has more than 95% quartz?

  • Lithic sandstone
  • Wacke
  • Quartz arenite (correct)
  • Arkosic sandstone
  • What is the defining feature of wackes in sandstone classification?

    <p>Poor sorting and dark color</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of sandstone is characterized as mineralogically immature?

    <p>Arkosic sandstone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the matrix percentage in Pettijohn's classification?

    <p>Distinguishes wackes from other sandstones</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process leads to the formation of clastic sediments from pre-existing rocks?

    <p>Erosion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT considered a resistant mineral found in mature sandstone?

    <p>Feldspar</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does an increase in quartz content in sandstone imply about its maturity?

    <p>Increased maturity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a method of weathering mentioned in the context?

    <p>Biological weathering</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which materials are primarily classified as siliciclastics?

    <p>Quartz, feldspars, and clay minerals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the process called that involves squeezing out water from sediments?

    <p>Compaction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following environments is NOT a common site for sediment deposition?

    <p>Volcanic craters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component is considered a biogenic sediment?

    <p>Calcite</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of sediment is formed as a result of evaporite processes?

    <p>Halite</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of minerals are clay minerals primarily categorized as?

    <p>Phyllosilicate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily defines textural maturity in sandstones?

    <p>The degree of roundness of the grains</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which grain type is primarily associated with a mineralogically mature sandstone?

    <p>Quartz grains</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does increasing sorting in sediment indicate about its maturity?

    <p>Higher energy input during transport</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of sediment transport, what does textural maturity provide clues about?

    <p>Erosion and depositional history</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement correctly describes arkose in terms of mineralogic maturity?

    <p>It is mineralogically immature</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Goldich Reaction Series primarily focuses on which aspect of minerals?

    <p>Crystallization forms and temperature trends</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to feldspar grains during sediment transport over time?

    <p>They break down</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is the roundness of grains related to sediment maturity?

    <p>Well-rounded grains suggest high energy transport</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic structure do clay minerals share that contributes to their perfect cleavage?

    <p>Planar hexagonal sheets</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes detrital sedimentary rocks?

    <p>Composed of particles that are cemented together</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines the difference between conglomerate and breccia?

    <p>Conglomerate contains mainly rounded clasts, while breccia consists of primarily angular clasts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do the terms monomict, polymict, and diamict refer to in sediment categorization?

    <p>Types of clast composition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following environments are sandstone typically associated with based on their grain sizes?

    <p>High-energy, turbulent environments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What range of grain sizes defines sandy sediments?

    <p>2mm to 0.063mm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between ortho conglomerates and para conglomerates?

    <p>Ortho conglomerates are clast-supported, while para conglomerates are matrix-supported.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a product of weathering?

    <p>Quartz</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    The Rock Cycle

    • Sedimentary rocks cover a larger proportion of the land surface.
    • They are primarily created through weathering, erosion, and deposition of pre-existing rocks.

    Clastic Sedimentary Rocks

    • Formed from clastic sediments resulting from the weathering and erosion of existing rocks.
    • Weathering can occur physically (e.g., freeze-thaw) or chemically.
    • Erosion transports sediments via water, wind, and ice before they settle in various environments such as deserts, oceans, rivers, or lakes.

    Sediment to Rock Transformation

    • Lithification involves:
      • Compaction, which squeezes out water.
      • Diagenesis, leading to the precipitation of cements that bind sediments.

    Mineralogy

    • Clastic sediments consist of siliciclastics (quartz, feldspars, clay minerals) and calciclastics (calcite, dolomite).
    • Biogenic sediments form as biochemical or inorganic chemical precipitates (e.g., shelly fragments in limestones).
    • Chemical sediments include evaporates (halite, gypsum, anhydrite) produced through evaporation processes.

    Clay Minerals

    • Main components include kaolinite, smectite, illite, chlorite, and micas, formed in water presence.
    • Characterized by a planar structure similar to micas, resulting in unique physical properties.

    Primary vs. Residual vs. Dissolved Products

    • Primary minerals (e.g., feldspar, quartz) transform into residual minerals (e.g., clay) or dissolved ions (K+, Ca²+, Na+).

    Detrital and Chemical Sediments

    • Detrital sediments categorized by grain size, including conglomerates, breccias, sandstones, and shales, characterized by clastic textures.
    • Chemical and biochemical sediments include materials produced through evaporation or chemical reactions.

    Grain Size Classification

    • Utilizes the Udden-Wentworth scale, categorizing sediments into gravel, sand, mud, and clay based on grain size.

    Conglomerates and Breccias

    • Conglomerates consist mainly of rounded clasts, while breccias feature angular clasts.
    • Clast types, such as monomict, polymict, and diamict, define the rock type and granule composition.

    Sandstone Characteristics

    • Sandstones comprise grains with modal sizes between 2mm and 0.063mm and consist mainly of quartz, feldspar, and lithic fragments.
    • Diagenetic cements include crystalline forms such as quartz and calcite.

    Maturity of Sandstones

    • Textural maturity reflects grain roundness and sorting, while mineralogical maturity indicates quartz concentration against less resistant minerals.
    • Mature sandstones are well-rounded, well-sorted, and contain a higher percentage of quartz.

    Goldich Reaction Series

    • Compares weathering trends with temperature against crystallization trends emphasizing mineral stability and decay.

    Pettijohn Classification System

    • Classifies sandstones based on matrix percentage, distinguishing between matrix-poor (wackes) and other forms.

    Porosity and Depth Interpretation

    • Increasing quartz content signifies increased maturity in siliciclastic rocks, influencing porosity and formation characteristics.

    Summary of Detrital Sedimentaries

    • Detrital sedimentary rocks showcase variations in composition and grain size, influencing overall rock classification and characteristics.

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    Description

    Explore the fascinating world of the rock cycle, focusing on clastic sedimentary rocks. This quiz covers their formation, distribution, and significance in relation to weathering, erosion, and deposition processes. Test your knowledge and understanding of geology with this focused assessment!

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