Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2022 - EASC 302 D100

Sedimentary Petrology (3)

Class Number: 1929

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 10, 2022
    Sat, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

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

  • Prerequisites:

    STAT 201 or 270, EASC 201 and 205. All with a grade of C- or better.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Description and classification, field and microscopic identification of sedimentary rocks; petrogenesis and paleoenvironmental reconstruction.

COURSE DETAILS:

General:

EASC 302 is a course that concentrates on the description of the composition, texture, fabric and diagenesis (petrography) and its implications for the depositional origin (petrology) of sedimentary rocks. The course outlines the various classification schemes for siliciclastic and carbonate rocks, microscopic/optical techniques for their study, and develops theories of sedimentary rock formation, diagenetic modification, and resulting porosity/permeability systems.

Course Topics:

  1. The study of siliciclastic rocks (coarse clastic rocks, sandstones and mudstones), including compositional and textural classification systems, diagenesis, optical analysis of common siliciclastic rock suites in thin section, and their field identification.
  2. Recent and evolving techniques in clastic sedimentary petrology (detrital zircon, geochemistry)
  3. The study of chemically precipitated rocks (limestones, dolostones and evaporites), including compositional and textural classification systems, diagenesis, optical analysis of carbonate rock suites in thin section, and their field identification.
  4. The study of organo-sedimentary rocks (e., coal) (time permitting).

Course Organization:

One 2-hour lecture/week; pdf copies of slides available on CANVAS).
One 3-hour laboratory period/week.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • describe and classify sedimentary rocks in both hand specimen and thin section, particularly with respect to fabric, texture, and composition.
  • identify the main fossil groups from thin section characteristics and apply them to the interpretation of carbonate sedimentary facies.
  • demonstrate an appreciation of diagenetic changes to sedimentary rocks, ranging from shallow burial to deep burial.
  • Interpret detrital zircon and geochemical datasets as related to sediment provenance.

Grading

  • Siliciclastic Midterm Theory Exam 25%
  • Siliciclastic Midterm Lab Exam 20%
  • Carbonate Midterm Theory Exam 25%
  • Carbonate Midterm Lab Exam 20%
  • Lab Assignments 10%

NOTES:

All Exams will be written in person.

The fall offering of EASC 302 is via full in-person instruction for both lectures and labs.

Lectures and laboratory sessions will be delivered synchronously, with pdf copies of lecture slides available for download from Canvas.

Specific details regarding in-lab safety procedures will be determined once revised guidelines are released by WorkSafeBC, expected prior to the fall semester. 

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING:

Lecture:
Tucker, M.E., 2003. Sedimentary Petrology (Third Edition). Blackwell Science Ltd., UK., 261p.     ISBN: 9780632057351

Lab:
A.E. Adams, W.S. Mackenzie, C. Guilford. 1984. Atlas of Sedimentary Rocks Under the Microscope. 110p. ISBN: 9781315841243
Note: Copies available in the Lab Room

Scholle, P.A. and Ulmer-Scholle, D.S. 2003. A Color Guide to the Petrography of Carbonate Rocks: Grains, Textures, Porosity, Diagenesis, AAPG Memoir 77, 474p. ISBN 9780891813583
Note: Copy available in the Lab Room.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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