University of Nevada, Las Vegas  


Department of Geoscience
GEOL 462: PRINCIPLES OF STRATIGRAPHY AND SEDIMENTATION
Spring, 2008


Course Section: 001 Classroom Location: LFG 105
Instructor: Dr. Ganqing Jiang Office Location: LFG 206
Email: jiangg@unlv.nevada.edu Lectures: T-Th: 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
Class website: http://faculty.unlv.edu/ganqing/GEY462 Office hours: Thursday 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

T.A.: Paul Kosmidis Office Location: TEC 115
Email: kosmidis@unlv.nevada.edu Labs: Friday: 11:30 AM - 2:15 PM, LFG 105



Class Description:

    The purpose of this course is to provide an integrated overview of the sciences of sedimentology and stratigraphy. We will learn the following components: (1) Earth’s surficial processes that control and produce sediments and sedimentary rocks, (2) quantitative description and classification of sedimentary rocks, (3) spatial and temporal models for reconstructing depositional environments, (4) sedimentary sequences and their forming mechanisms, and (5) techniques (e.g., stable isotopes) useful for studying sedimentary rocks and exploring ancient seawater history. We will learn how to answer questions such as "What is the paleoenvironmental origin of sedimentary rocks? What controls their lateral and temporal variations? What information can we obtain from sedimentary rocks to reveal the ancient Earth history?”
    Class Background – This class is designed for senior undergraduates majoring in geology and will integrate materials that you have learned in previous classes. You will demonstrate that you have acquired the requisite skills related to sedimentary geology and acquisition of appropriate writing skills by completing field-based reports, and other assignments and exams. Concurrent enrollment in the lab section is required.
    Textbooks:
    1. Required: Gary Nichols, 2004, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Blackwell Publishing Company, 355pp. ISBN: 0-632-03578-1
    2. Recommended: Boggs, S., Jr., 2006, Principles of sedimentology and stratigraphy, 4th edition, Pearson Prentice Hall, 662pp. ISBN: 0-13-154728-3 (a copy is reserved in Lied Library)
    Grading:
    Class Attendance and Discussions……….....10%
    Midterm Exam………………………..……30%
    Final Exam……………………………........30%
    Lab + research project..................................30%
    Final grades are assigned on a percentage basis: A = 100-90%, B = 89-80%, C = 79-70%, D = 69-60%, F = 59% or lower; +/- designations are used. Although I encourage you to study and work on projects together, you must turn in original work.

Class Schedule

Download the class syllabus here

Week
Day
Date
Lecture Notes
Lecture slides
Reading
1
T
Jan-22
Class Intro, Intro to Sedimentary Processes and Sedimentary Rocks
Lecture 1
Nicholas, p. 1-9
1
Th
Jan-24
Terrigenous Clastic Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks
Lecture 2
Nicholas, p. 10-24
2
T
Jan-29
Biogenic, Chemical and Volcanogenic Sediments and Rocks
Lecture 3
Nicholas, p. 25-36 [Extra]
2
Th
Jan-31
Sediments: From Source to Destination
Lecture 4
Nicholas, p. 37-61, 76-89
3
T
Feb-5
Sedimentary Structures: Check out the references here for next lecture
Lecture 5
Nicholas, p. 43-61
3
Th
Feb-7
Sedimentary Structures -- Discussion
Lecture 6
Nicholas, p. 43-61
4
T
Feb-12
Environments and Facies
Lecture 7
Nicholas, p. 62-75
4
Th
Feb-14
Siliciclastic Depositional System: Alluvial and Glacial
Lecture 8
Nicholas, p. 76-89, and p.101-116
5
T
Feb-19
Siliciclastic Depositional System: Fluvial and Lakes
Lecture 9
Nicholas, p. 116-134
5
Th
Feb-21
Siliciclastic Depositional System: Delta and Estuaries
Lecture 10
Nicholas, p. 135-149
6
T
Feb-26
Siliciclastic Depositional System: Coastal Environments
Lecture 11
Nicholas, p. 167-180
6
Th
Feb-28
Siliciclastic Depositional System: Shelf to Basinal Environments
Lecture 12
Nicholas, p. 180-206
7
T
Mar-4
Carbonate Depositional System: An Overview
Lecture 13
Nicholas, p. 187-191
7
Th
Mar-6
Peritidal Carbonates and Cycles
Lecture 14
Reading Assignment
8
T
Mar-11
Midterm Review
Midterm Review Notes
       
8
Th
Mar-13
No Class. Midterm Exam Preparation
Exam will be March 25, Tuesday
    
10
T
Mar-25
Midterm Exam
   
    
10
Th
Mar-27
Carbonate Depositional System: Ramp and Rimmed Shelves
Lecture 15
Nicholas, p.187-188
11
T
Apr-1
Carbonate Depositional System: Reefs, Mounds, and slope deposits
Lecture 16
Nicholas, p. 190 and previous assignments; will discuss this Thursday
11
Th
Apr-3
Microbial Induced Sedimentary Structures (MISS)
Lecture 17
Suggested reading
12
T
Apr-8
DISCUSSION: carbonate cycles
Lecture 18
   
12
Th
Apr-10
Stable isotopes from carbonates: basics and examples
Lecture 19-21
Suggested reading
13
T
Apr-15
Stable isotopes from carbonates: basics and examples
No new slides
Suggested readings
13
Th
Apr-17
Stable isotopes from carbonates: basics and examples
No new slides
Suggested readings
14
T
Apr-22
Diagenesis: An Introduction
Lecture 22
   
14
Th
Apr-24
Stratigraphic Concepts: An Overview
Lecture 23
   
15
T
Apr-29
Sequence Stratigraphy and sea-level change I
Lecture 24-25
Final Exam Review, in the end of the next lecture
15
Th
May-1
Sequence Stratigraphy and Sea-level change II, and Final Exam Review
Final Exam Review
Your final exam will be: Thursday, May 15, 10:10-12:45, LFG105
16
T-Th
May-6, 8
No class, study week; Friday, May 9, project presentation Because I have a university program review meeting at 9:00 am, please forgive me if I am a little late Your final exam will be: Thursday, May 15, 10:10-12:45, LFG105