Spring 2022 - EASC 201 D100

Stratigraphy and Sedimentation (3)

Class Number: 1303

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Mon, Fri, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 21, 2022
    Thu, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    James Maceachern
    jmaceach@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-5388
    Office: TASC 1 Room 7235
  • Prerequisites:

    or Corequisite: EASC 210 with a grade of C- or better.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to the nature, origin and interpretation of stratified earth materials. Principles of lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy, sequence stratigraphy, the facies concept.

COURSE DETAILS:

General:
The course integrates principles of stratigraphy with principles of process sedimentology in order to develop techniques for the description and interpretation of sedimentary facies, prediction of facies architecture, reconstruction of paleogeography and resolution of depositional history.

Course Topics:
1.  Introduction to sedimentology, including: chemical sedimentation, clastic process sedimentology, basis of flow regime theory, identification and interpretation of physical and biogenic sedimentary structures.

2. The character of facies, including: the facies concept, the use of facies associations, applications of Walther's Law, development of facies models, and the interpretation of depositional environments.

3. The character of facies associations in depositional settings ranging from terrestrial to deep marine environments.

4. Introduction to stratigraphy, including: stratigraphic principles, lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, and chronostratigraphy.

5. Genetic stratigraphy, including: allostratigraphy, genetic stratigraphic sequences, T-R sequences, and sequence stratigraphy, with an emphasis on relative sea level, base level, eustacy vs. tectonics, systems tracts and depositional environments, and reconstruction of depositional history.

Course Organization:
Two 1-hour lectures and one 3-hour laboratory class per week.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

EASC 201 introduces students to the discipline of stratigraphy and sedimentation. Upon successful completion of the course, students will demonstrate a broad knowledge and understanding of sedimentary rocks, particularly of siliciclastic units. Using the scientific method, they will develop technical and analytical skills in order to:

1) properly describe sedimentary rocks.

2) identify primary and syndepositional sedimentary structures and assign the process or processes responsible for their formation.

 3) identify the basic biogenic structures and their implications for depositional conditions.

4) characterize sedimentary rock intervals in the context of facies successions and interpret possible sedimentary depositional environments.

5) describe rocks successions in subsurface core and from these data, construct detailed graphic lithologs.

6) be familiar with sedimentary depositional environments ranging from the continental realm, through paralic, shallow-marine and deep marine settings.

7) develop familiarity with the main stratigraphic frameworks employed by the North American Code of Stratigraphic Nomenclature (NACSN).

8) demonstrate stratigraphic correlation skills and an understanding of the implications of such correlations, both in depositional space and across depositional time.

EASC 201 provides students with the opportunity to begin developing key competencies in this subject area, both through instructor/TA-student and student-student learning.  Laboratory assignments are all hands-on, with students working in groups of 2 to describe and interpret rocks and graphic lithologs.  These working groups also permit students to develop collaborative and management skills required in a professional setting.  Writing skills are expressed through construction of an illustrated and annotated atlas of sedimentary structures, subsurface core descriptions, and geological history interpretation of a stratigraphic cross-section.

Grading

  • Laboratory Assignments (Atlas 5%, Graphic Lithologs 10%, Cross-Section 10% 25%
  • Mid-Term Theory Exam 15%
  • Final Laboratory Exam 20%
  • Final Theory Exam 40%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Boggs, S. Jr. 2012. Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Fifth Edition, Prentice Hall, 584p
ISBN: 978-0-321-64318-6

RECOMMENDED READING:

Students may also find Dalrymple, R. and James, N.P., 2010, Facies Models, Geological Association Canada, St. Johns Nfld to be useful as an additional text. A copy of this book will be on 4-hour reserve in the library.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2022

Teaching at SFU in spring 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with safety plans in place.  Some courses will still be offered through remote methods, and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the spring 2022 term.