Gaining Insight into Depositional Environments of Sedimentary Rocks Name: Course:
Section: Date:
Sedimentary structures, fossils, cements, and other features of sedimentary rocks provide insight into the environment in which the sediment was deposited.
Match each of the features in the left-hand column to an aspect of the depositional environment listed in the right-hand column by placing the corresponding letter in the proper blank.
Rock and/or feature of the rock
(a) poorly sorted arkose
(b) contains fossils of intact coral
(c) red mudstone containing dinosaur footprints
(d) black shale containing some pyrite crystals
(e) sandstone containing symmetrical ripples
(f) cross-bedded sandstone
(g) contains > 50% carbon and fossil leaves
(h) contains large, rounded pebbles and cobbles (contains fossils of feathers G very angular grains
Aspect of the depositional environment
1. deposited in a desert dune or in a current
2. formed from sediments accumulated in a swamp
3. deposited in very quiet (stagnant) water
4. deposited in an anoxic marine setting
5. deposited by a swiftly moving stream
6. formed from warm-water, shallow marine reef
7. has not undergone a lot of transport immature,
8. deposited close to the source
9. formed from terrestrial mud (riverbank deposits)
10. deposited on a beach