Clastic depositional systems I 1300-WM-KSDI

Discussion course on Clastic Depositional Systems is continuing the lecture Sedimentology (1300-OSED201) while preparing to participate in the activities of the sedimentary basin analysis and practical course on clastic sedimentology. To achieve the defined learning outcomes for the subject the student must take part in classes (30h), and prepare presentation and conspectus on your own for grading (estimate approximately 30h).
The course presents the characteristics of clastic modern sedimentary environments and their fossil counterparts, and the depositional potential, both as a host rock, migration routes, as well as reservoir rock.
Special emphasis is paid on alluvial, fluvial, shore, shelf, shallow-water, deep-water, lacustrine, glacial and aeolian depositional systems. Environment examples, sedimentary basin architecture and deposit aspects are discussed by students in the form of mini-lectures and group presentations. During the series of classes will be present the following topics: (1) the definition of depositional systems, the factors controlling the development of depositional systems: climate, tectonics, relative sea-level changes, the supply of sediment, biological activity, water chemistry. Classification of clastic depositional systems; (2) Alluvial fans: sedimentary processes, sediment characteristics, morphology, facies distribution models, the relationship of climate and tectonics, alluvial fans in fossil sedimentary sequences - the architecture and the reservoir potential. Fluvial depositional systems: depositional processes, types of systems and their relationship to the nature of the basement, climate and tectonics. Modern examples gravel- and sand-braided rivers, meandering rivers, anastomosing rivers. (3) Ancient examples of fluvial depositional systems, models of sequences, facies architecture, the reservoir potential. Deltaic environments: depositional processes, facies associations, deposits, deltaic systems classifications: fluvial-dominated deltas, wave-dominated deltas, tide-dominate deltas. (4) Models for deltaic sequences, recognition and ancient deltaic systems architecture. Architecture, origin and deposition potential for reservoir rocks based on fossil examples of deltaic sequences; (5) Clastic shore zone: processes, deposits, facies. Modern beaches and sandy bars, moreover tidal flats. Facies characteristic of ancient clastic shore zones. Shallow-water clastic-shelf sedimentary environments. Physical processes controlling shelf-sedimentation: tides, tidal currents, waves, wave-currents, density-currents. Facies distribution on different shelf zones. The role of shelf depositional systems in the architecture and evolution of the sedimentary basins fill. Diagnostic criteria for the recognition of ancient shelf systems; (6) Deep-water clastic sedimentary environments. Mechanisms of deposit transport: underwater gravitational mass movements, density currents, pelagic sedimentation. Slope and abyssal plane facies characteristics. Modern and ancient models of turbiditic fans. Turbiditic facies classification. Flysch. The depositional potential of the deep-water deposits, both as a host rock, migration routes, as well as reservoir rock; (7) Lacustrine depositional system: modern and ancient examples. Facies and depositional mechanisms. Factors controlling geometry and hydrology of lakes, water stratification and fertility of lake water. The depositional potential of the lacustrine deposits, both as a host rock and reservoir rock; (8) Aeolian environment: transport mechanisms and depositional processes. Aeolian accumulation forms, their textures and structures. Modern deserts, climatic and tectonic controls. Models for aeolian sequences, facies interfingering with other terrestrial and shore facies. The depositional potential of the aeolian deposits, both as a host rock, migration routes, as well as reservoir rock; (9) Transport mechanisms in glacial environments. Glacial sub-environments: glacial, glacilimnic, glacimarine and glacifuvial. Distribution of modern and ancient glacial environments. Glacial deposits, the biggest glaciations in the Earth history; (10) Phytogenic deposits vs. clastic depositional systems. Coal-hosted deposits. Climatic and tectonic control on the phytogenic sedimentation. geometry and evolution of the coal-hosted basins. Depositional systems vs. fossil fuels reservoirs. The depositional potential of the different depositional systems, both as a host rock, migration routes, as well as reservoir rocks.