Exam 6: Sedimentary Rocks the Archives of Earth History

____ would indicate deposition occurred in a high-energy environment.

Deltas grow larger through the process of ____.

The mineralogical composition of sedimentary rocks is an indicator of the depositional environment.

Alluvial fans commonly occur in the marine environment.

The most common detrital sedimentary rocks are sandstones and mud rocks.

Pelagic oozes are derived from the shells of microscopic marine organisms.

At various times during Earth's history, the western half of the United States has been covered by an inland sea.

Dark-light couplets of sedimentary layers that represent yearly deposits in a glacial lake are called ____________________.

Fluvial deposits are considered part of the transitional sedimentary environment.

Deltas form when streams or rivers encounter a standing body of water, such as an ocean or lake.

Analysis of ____ is the best way to determine depositional environments.

Mud cracks indicate an episode of deposition and perhaps flooding followed by drier conditions.

The transitional depositional environment that involves progradation is a(n)_____________________.

Discuss the use of fossils to determine the depositional environment of a sedimentary stratum. Give examples of some fossils that imply a specific environment.

Till deposits are associated with ____.

The majority of sediment transported across the continental shelf travels through ____.

Glacial deposits are composed only of particles of gravel size and larger.

Imagine you are a geologist standing in front of a large outcrop of sandstone, shale, and limestone layers. It is your job to determine the depositional environment(s) and paleogeographic history of the area. What are four pieces of information needed to make a determination, and how will those pieces of information help you make a determination?

Polygonal forms in clay sediments generated by repeating cycles of wet and dry are ____________________ ____________________.

Describe and discuss the sedimentary deposits that you would expect in a deltaic environment.