This fourth edition builds on the success of previous editions and for the first time is produced in full colour throughout with improved photos and diagrams. It retains its popular pocket size and is an essential buy for all students working in the field. The text shows how sedimentary rocks are tackled in the field and has been written for all those with a geological background. It describes how the features of sedimentary rocks can be recorded in the field particularly through the construction of graphic logs. In succeeding chapters the various sedimentary rock types, textures and structures are discussed and shown how they can be described and measured in the field. There are expanded sections on trace fossils and volcaniclastics along with updated reference list. Finally a concluding section deals briefly with facies identification and points the ways towards facies interpretations, and the identification of sequences and cycles. Key Features: Full colour throughout with improved photos, figures and diagrams in a modern layout. Complete revision and update of best selling textbook which is part of the highly successful Field Guide series. Expanded sections on trace fossils and volcaniclastics along with updated reference list. Handy pocket size with laminated cover. Includes supplementary website with downloadable logging sheets for fieldwork activities.

This fourth edition builds on the success of previous editions andfor the first time is produced in full colour throughout withimproved photos and diagrams. It retains its popular pocket sizeand is an essential buy for all students working in the field.The text shows how sedimentary rocks are tackled in the fieldand has been written for all those with a geological background. Itdescribes how the features of sedimentary rocks can be recorded inthe field particularly through the construction of graphic logs. Insucceeding chapters the various sedimentary rock types, texturesand structures are discussed and shown how they can be describedand measured in the field. There are expanded sections on tracefossils and volcaniclastics along with updated reference list.Finally a concluding section deals briefly with faciesidentification and points the ways towards facies interpretationsand the identification of sequences and cycles.Key Features:* Full colour throughout with improved photos, figures anddiagrams in a modern layout.* Complete revision and update of best selling textbook which ispart of the highly successful Field Guide series.* Expanded sections on trace fossils and volcaniclastics alongwith updated reference list.* Handy pocket size with laminated cover.* Includes supplementary website with downloadable logging sheetsfor fieldwork activities.

Preface ixAcknowledgements xi1 Introduction 11.1 Tools of the Trade 11.2 Other Tools for the Field 31.3 Use of GPS (Global Positioning System) in Sedimentary Studies 41.4 Safety in the Field and General Guidance for Fieldwork 52 Field Techniques 92.1 What to Look For 92.2 The Approach 112.3 Field Notes 122.4 Graphic Logs 132.5 The Logging of Cores 192.6 Lithofacies Codes 202.7 Collecting Specimens 222.8 Presentation of Results 222.9 The Way-Up of Sedimentary Strata 242.10 Stratigraphic Practice 263 Sedimentary Rock Types 353.1 Principal Lithological Groups 353.2 Sandstones 383.3 Conglomerates and Breccias 443.4 Mudrocks 463.5 Limestones 473.6 Evaporites 593.7 Ironstones 633.8 Cherts 653.9 Phosphate Deposits (Phosphorites) 673.10 Organic-Rich Deposits 683.11 Volcaniclastic Deposits 704 Sedimentary Rock Texture 854.1 Introduction 854.2 Sediment Grain-Size and Sorting 854.3 Grain Morphology 894.4 Sediment Fabric 914.5 Textural Maturity 944.6 Texture of Conglomerates and Breccias 954.7 Induration and Degree of Weathering 974.8 Colour of Sedimentary Rocks 995 Sedimentary Structures and Geometry of Sedimentary Deposits 1055.1 Introduction 1055.2 Erosional Structures 1055.3 Depositional Structures 1115.4 Depositional Structures of Limestones (Including Dolomites) 1455.5 Post-Depositional Sedimentary Structures 1575.6 Biogenic Sedimentary Structures 1725.7 The Geometry of Sedimentary Deposits and Lateral Facies Changes 1876 Fossils in the Field 1936.1 Introduction 1936.2 Fossil Distribution and Occurrence 1976.3 Fossil Associations and Diversity 2026.4 Skeletal Preservation (Taphonomy) and Diagenesis 2067 Palaeocurrent Analysis 2117.1 Introduction 2117.2 Palaeocurrent Measurements 2117.3 Structures for Palaeocurrent Measurement 2177.4 Presentation of Results and Calculation of Vector Means 2207.5 Interpretation of the Palaeocurrent Pattern 2228 What Next? Facies Identification and Sequence Analysis 2258.1 Introduction 2258.2 Facies Analysis 2258.3 Facies, Facies Models and Depositional Environments 2278.4 Cycle Stratigraphy and Sequence Stratigraphy 228Recommended Reading 263Index 270