Geology: Sedimentary Structures Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What are primary structures primarily formed from?

  • Secondary deformation
  • Sedimentary or igneous processes (correct)
  • Deformed sedimentary rocks
  • Metamorphic processes

Layering is considered a primary structure.

True (A)

What do primary structures help indicate in geology?

Environmental conditions at the time of sedimentation.

If A and B are younging in the same direction, then A is a _____ bed than B.

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

Match the concepts with their descriptions:

<p>Younging vector = Indicates the direction of older to younger beds Primary structures = Formed prior to deformation Secondary structures = Result from deformation Layering = Most common primary structure type</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of structure is formed by the collapse of wet sediments due to tilting or agitation?

<p>Slump (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Mud cracks are formed by the wetting of clay and silt sediments.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are structures formed after deposition but before lithification called?

<p>Penecontemporaneous structures</p> Signup and view all the answers

The type of joints formed through the cooling of volcanic rocks is called __________ joints.

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

Match the following terms with their definitions:

<p>Slump = Collapse of wet sediments due to tilting Mud Cracks = Cracks from drying of sediments during exposure Penecontemporaneous = Structures formed post-deposition but pre-lithification Conformable Contact = Boundary separating rock units that are in sequence</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are raindrop impressions primarily formed by?

<p>Rainfall (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Ropy lava tops are associated with primary structures formed at the tops of beds.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are groove casts?

<p>Impressions or marks left by movement or flow along a surface.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The structures formed due to the interaction of low density silt and denser sand are known as ______.

<p>load casts</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of bedding structures with their descriptions:

<p>Convolute bedding = Resulting from disturbances in sediment layers Graded bedding = Layers arranged by particle size from coarse to fine Cross-bedding = Formed by the migration of sand dunes Angle of Repose = Maximum angle at which a sloped surface can remain stable</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures is specifically formed at the bottom of beds?

<p>Flute casts (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Palaeocurrent direction can be indicated by structures like groove casts.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The base of a pillow lava conforms to the shape of the ______ below it.

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

What types of vesicles can be found in pillow lavas?

<p>Disc-shaped, spherical, and tubular vesicles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is formed due to water escaping upwards through sedimentary layers?

<p>Convolute bedding (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of unconformity involves a significant break in deposition with no angular discordance?

<p>Disconformity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Angular unconformities occur between horizontally bedded rock units with no structural deformation.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What principle states that inclusions within a host rock are always older than the host?

<p>Principle of Inclusion</p> Signup and view all the answers

Sedimentary rocks are originally deposited in __________ layers.

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

Match the types of unconformities with their definitions:

<p>Angular unconformity = Erosional gap with angular discordance Disconformity = Erosional gap without angular discordance Nonconformity = Sedimentary strata overlying igneous/metamorphic rocks Conformable contact = Horizontal contact with no deposition gaps</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which principle suggests that sedimentary strata extend laterally within a basin?

<p>Principle of Original Lateral Continuity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Fluvial channels represent a characteristic feature of nonconformities.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of unconformity occurs when sedimentary structures overlie sharp contacts with igneous or metamorphic rock?

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

Flashcards

Primary Structures

Sedimentary structures present before deformation, used as markers for initial strain and way-up indicators.

Secondary Structures

Structures resulting from deformation of rocks.

Layering (bedding)

Most common primary structure, formed by sediment or lava flow, often used to determine rock sequence.

Younging Vector

Direction of younger layers in a rock formation, upwards from the base.

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Stratigraphic Sequence

Order of rock layers from oldest to youngest.

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Slump

A geological structure formed by the collapse of wet sediments due to tilting, agitation, or loading. Slumps are often found in cross-bedded strata and act as indicators for the direction of the ancient slope (palaeoslope).

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Penecontemporaneous Structures

Structures formed after sediment deposition but before the sediment is fully lithified. Slumps and mud cracks are examples of these structures.

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Mud Cracks

Cracks that form in clay or silt due to drying and shrinking. They are a sign of subaerial exposure (being above water).

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Unconformities

Boundaries that separate different rock units and indicate a period of erosion or non-deposition.

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Ripple Marks

Small waves or ridges formed on sediment surfaces by flowing water or wind.

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Raindrop Impressions

Small craters or bumps on sedimentary rocks, created by raindrops hitting the surface.

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Trace Fossils

Evidence of ancient organisms' activity, not the organism itself.

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Palaeocurrent

Direction of ancient currents (water or wind).

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Cross-bedding

Layers of sediment sloping at an angle, indicating movement.

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Graded Bedding

Sediment layers with coarser particles at the bottom, grading to finer particles at the top.

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Convolute Bedding

Folded sedimentary layers, indicating complex flow.

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Load Casts

Features formed when sediment sinks into underlying layers, creating an imprint.

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Pillow Lavas

Volcanic rock that forms rounded, pillow-shaped structures.

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Vesicles

Hollow spaces in volcanic rock, formed by gas bubbles.

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Angular Unconformity

An unconformity where older, tilted sedimentary rocks are overlain by younger, horizontal sedimentary rocks.

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Disconformity

An unconformity between parallel layers of sedimentary rock, representing a period of erosion or non-deposition.

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Nonconformity

An unconformity where sedimentary rocks lie directly on top of igneous or metamorphic rocks.

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Principle of Original Horizontality

Sedimentary rocks are originally deposited as horizontal layers.

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Principle of Lateral Continuity

Sedimentary layers extend laterally in all directions until they thin out or terminate against a barrier.

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Principle of Superposition

In an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rocks, the oldest rocks are at the bottom and the youngest rocks are at the top.

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Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships

A geologic feature that cuts across another feature is younger than the feature it cuts.

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Study Notes

Fundamental Structures

  • Primary structures are sedimentary structures present before deformation. They are helpful for identifying the original state of rocks and determining the "up" direction.
  • Primary structures are either sedimentary or igneous. Secondary structures result from deformation.
  • Layering (bedding and lava flows) is the most common type of primary structure.
  • Primary structures indicate environmental conditions during sedimentation, the deposition basin's geometry, and the original orientation of rocks.

Younging

  • If two beds (A and B) are younging in the same direction, A is younger than B. A normal stratigraphic sequence results.
  • If A and B are younging in opposite directions, they are likely the same bed repeated by folding, not a standard stratigraphic sequence.

Primary Structures Formed at the Tops of Beds

  • Examples include rain prints, ripple marks, and ropy lava tops.

Primary Structures Formed at the Bottoms of Beds

  • Examples include scour-and-fill, load casts, and groove/flute casts.

Primary Structures Formed Within Beds

  • Examples include convolute bedding, graded bedding, and cross-bedding.

Cross-Beds

  • Cross-bedding is formed by sand dunes.
  • The angle of repose in cross-bedding is related to wind direction.

Columnar Joints

  • Columnar joints are hexagonal shapes in rocks.
  • These shapes result from cooling and contraction of volcanic rock.

Slumps

  • Slumps form by the collapse of wet sediment during tilting or agitation.
  • Slumps are common in tilted cross-bedded strata.
  • Slumps are penecontemporaneous (formed after deposition but before lithification).

Mud Cracks

  • Mud cracks are formed from the desiccation of clays/silts.

Unconformities

  • Unconformities separate rock layers.
    • Normal conformity has no breaks in deposition or erosion.
    • Unconformities include angular, disconformity, and nonconformity.
      • Angular unconformity: rock layers are tilted with respect to each other
      • Disconformity: an erosional surface exists between parallel rock layers
      • Nonconformity: sedimentary layers lie above igneous or metamorphic rocks

Principle of Inclusion

  • Inclusions within a rock are older than the surrounding rock.

Principle of Original Horizontality

  • Sedimentary rocks are originally deposited horizontally.
  • Exceptions include cross-bedding and dipping sedimentary strata which are shaped by tilting and/or folding.

Deformation

  • Deformation is changes in rock form or size.
  • Deformation is often related to plate margins.
  • Deformation involves force and stress:
    • Force is what tends to start or change motion.
    • Stress is force applied over an area.
    • Different types of stress create various effects on rock (compressional, tensional, shear stress).

Stress

  • Uniform stress affects equally in all directions
  • Differential stress has different stresses in multiple directions.
    • Compressional stress shortens rock bodies
    • Tensional stress lengthens rock bodies
    • Shear stress produces slippage.

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Description

Test your knowledge on fundamental structures in geology, focusing on sedimentary and igneous primary structures. Understand the significance of layering, younging directions, and various examples of primary structures. This quiz will help you identify the original states of rocks and their environmental conditions.

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