Stratigraphy - Spring 2003

Principles of Stratigraphy: Spring 2008
Kent State University Department of Geology

Catalog Numbers:	Undergrad Geol 44070 Graduate Geol 54070	Registrar's Call Numbers	Undergrad: 10349 Graduate: 10357
Lecture:	TR: 12:40-2:00 pm, McGilvrey 234	Lab:	W: 11:00-12:40pm, McGilvrey 116
Instructor:	Dr. Joseph D. Ortiz	Graduate TA:	Elizabeth Fein
Office:	McGilvrey Room 334/336	Office:	McGilvrey Room 210D
Phone: FAX: Email:	330-672-2225 330-672-7949 jortiz @kent.edu	Phone: Email:	efein @kent.edu
Mailbox:	Dept. of Geology McGilvrey 221	Mailbox:	Dept. of Geology McGilvrey 221
Web:	About the Instructor	TA Office Hours:	by appointment
Instructor's Office Hours	T: 10:00-11:00 am W: 2:15- 4:00 pm R: 10:00-11:00 am or by appointment.	Geology Tutoring Lab McGilvrey Hall Room 303	(Begins third week of term)

Text:

Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, (Fourth Edition), by Sam Boggs, Jr., Prentice Hall, 2005,

ISBN-13 978 0131547285.

(Note: There is a third edition of the text available, but there are considerable differences as described here.)

Handouts and selected readings as assigned during the term.

Course Rationale and Objectives:

The record of Earth’s history is writ large in its sedimentary strata. Unraveling the contents of this great book requires specific geologic skills and a considerable amount of detective work! Students in this upper level course will be introduced to the systematics of sedimentary rocks and the processes by which they form, erode, and are transformed by early diagenesis. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the underlying principles of sedimentation and their controls on various temporal and spatial scales. A variety of environments will be studied so that the results of these processes can be recognized in the field. In addition to classical approaches, special note will be made of new techniques used in high resolution sedimentological research, particularly non-invasive sediment logging methods (e.g. Diffuse Spectral Reflectance) and geochemical stratigraphy (e.g. d¹⁸O of biogenic calcite). These techniques are employed by the instructor as part of his active research. Lectures will be integrated with weekly labs and at least two required field trips.

Topics to be covered:

Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks – genesis, types, distribution, and alteration
Siliciclastic versus biogenic sedimentation
Clastic transport and fluid flow
Lithostratigraphy and facies relationships
Sedimentary environments: Terrestrial, coastal, marine
Geochronology and Chronostratigraphy
High Resolution stratigraphic methods (e.g. core and well logging, chemostratigraphy)
Sequence Stratigraphy

Prerequisites: Petrology (GEOL 31070), and Invertebrate Paleontology (GEOL 34061), or permission of the instructor. Completion of Geomorphology (GEO32066) before enrolling in Stratigraphy is highly encouraged. Students are also expected to be familiar with Excel spreadsheet functions and quantitative manipulation of data through cell formulas. Training in the use of Excel is available through the Geology tutoring lab (see above), the KSU library 60 minute seminar series, and the Infosource online tutorial system (http://infosource.kent.edu).

Academic Counseling Resources for Students

Accommodations for Students with Special Needs

Class Related Links
Class Schedule, Reading Assignments, and Online Notes	Grading Policy
Check your Class Grades Online with WebCT Vista	Using WebCT
Academic Calendar (Spring term)	Exam Study Questions
Download PDF of Class Syllabus	Final Exam Review Questions
Turbidity Current Lab Videos
Just for Fun
Careers in Geology	Stratigraphy Related Weblinks

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