Directions
- Go toSedimentary Rock Sample(Links to an external site.)to view the virtual samples for this lab.Make sure to open this link in a separate tab or window before you initiate the lab exercise.
- The format of these virtual samples is "GigaPans," very large photos that you can explore by zooming in to check out details.
- OpenSedimentary Rocks (PDF)
Download Sedimentary Rocks (PDF), relevant figures and identification tables in a separate window or tab. It will come in handy on many of the lab questions.
- Examine the specimens in the order specified, bearing in mind additional information that is described in the assignment. Answer the questions to the best of your ability.
- There is no time limit, but you cannot save and return later to finish. You must finish each attempt in one sitting.
- You have 3 attempts to complete the assignment. The highest grade will be saved in Grades for this assignment.
Grading
As with a quiz, each question in the lab exercise has a point value assigned. Your score depends on how many of these questions you answer correctly. Remember that you can resubmit up to three times - so you have the opportunity to learn through repetition. The highest grade received will appear in Grades for this assignment. This portion of the lab has 30 questions, for 9.1 points.
Flag question: Question 1Question 10.7pts
Examine sample A.
What is thesortingof sample A?
(Consult the figures in the above PDF for examples/reference.)
Group of answer choiceswell sortedmoderately sortedpoorly sorted
Flag question: Question 2Question 20.6pts
Examine sample A.
What is the grainroundnessof sample A?
(Consult the figures in the above PDF for examples/reference.)
Group of answer choicesvery angularsubangularsubroundwell-rounded
Flag question: Question 3Question 30.7pts
Examine sample A.
Namesample A.
(Consult the figures in the above PDF for examples/reference.)
Group of answer choicesbrecciaconglomeratequartz sandstonearkoselithic sandstonegraywackesiltstoneshaleclaystonepeatlignitebituminous coalcoquinafossiliferous limestonechalkmicriteoolitic limestonetravertinedolostonerock saltrock gypsumironstonechert
Flag question: Question 4Question 40.6pts
Think about the characteristics of sample A, and offer an interpretation for thedepositional setting(consult the figures in the above PDF for examples/reference) where it would have formed. Your interpretation should be consistent with the physical characteristics that you have noted for the sample.
Group of answer choicesevaporating playa lakehot springsbog or swampglacierdebris at base of cliff / alluvial fanriver channelriver floodplainlakedelta (where a river flows into a standing body of water like a lake or the ocean)sand dunesbeachshallow sea (clastic sediment)shallow sea (carbonate bank)carbonate reefturbidity current (deep sea fan) on the continental slopedeep sea (abyssal plain)
Flag question: Question 5Question 50.6pts
Examine sample B.
What is thesortingof sample B?
(Consult the figures in the above PDF for examples/reference.)
Group of answer choiceswell sortedmoderately sortedpoorly sorted
Flag question: Question 6Question 60.7pts
Examine sample B.
What is the grainroundnessof sample B?
(Consult the figures in the above PDF for examples/reference.)
Group of answer choicesvery angularsubangularsubroundwell-rounded
Flag question: Question 7Question 70.6pts
Examine sample B.
Namesample B.
(Consult the figures in the above PDF for examples/reference.)
Group of answer choicesbrecciaconglomeratequartz sandstonearkoselithic sandstonegraywackesiltstoneshaleclaystonepeatlignitebituminous coalcoquinafossiliferous limestonechalkmicriteoolitic limestonetravertinedolostonerock saltrock gypsumironstonechert
Flag question: Question 8Question 80.7pts
Think about the characteristics of sample B, and offer an interpretation for thedepositional setting(sedimentary environment; Consult the figures in the above PDF for examples/reference) where it would have formed. Your interpretation should be consistent with the physical characteristics that you have noted for the sample.
Group of answer choicesevaporating playa lakehot springsbog or swampglacierdebris at base of cliff / alluvial fanriver channelriver floodplainlakedelta (where a river flows into a standing body of water like a lake or the ocean)sand dunesbeachshallow sea (clastic sediment)shallow sea (carbonate bank)carbonate reefturbidity current (deep sea fan) on the continental slopedeep sea (abyssal plain)
Flag question: Question 9Question 90.6pts
Examine sample C.
There is a prominent sedimentary structure to be seen in this sample.Identify this
primary sedimentary
structure.
(Consult the figures in the above PDF for examples/reference.)
Group of answer choicesraindrop impressionsgraded bed(s)current ripple marks
(also called "asymmetrical ripple marks")cross-beddingbimodal cross-beddingwave ripple marks
(also called "symmetrical ripple marks" or "oscillation ripple marks")mudcrack(s)
(also called dessication cracks)salt cast(s)
(preserved cubic shapes of halite crystals, now formed from sedimentary rock)flute(s)flute cast(s)fossil plant roots
(trace fossils)animal burrows
(trace fossils)animal tracks, trackways, and trails
(trace fossils)body fossils
(once-living tissue or skeletal material)Flag question: Question 10Question 100.6pts
Examine sample D.
There is a prominent sedimentary structure to be seen in this sample.Identify this primary sedimentary structure.
(Consult the figures in the above PDF for examples/reference.)
Group of answer choicesraindrop impressionsgraded bed(s)current ripple marks
(also called "asymmetrical ripple marks")cross-beddingbimodal cross-beddingwave ripple marks
(also called "symmetrical ripple marks" or "oscillation ripple marks")mudcrack(s)
(also called dessication cracks)salt cast(s)
(preserved cubic shapes of halite crystals, now formed from sedimentary rock)flute(s)flute cast(s)fossil plant roots
(trace fossils)animal burrows
(trace fossils)animal tracks, trackways, and trails
(trace fossils)body fossils
(once-living tissue or skeletal material)Flag question: Question 11Question 110.6pts
Examine the loose sand samples E, F, G, H, I, and J. Each is displayed in a petri dish 9 cm in diameter.
Which of the 6 sand samples is dominated byooids?
(Consult the figures in the attached PDF for examples/reference.)
Group of answer choicesEFGHIJ
Flag question: Question 12Question 120.6pts
Examine the loose sand samples E, F, G, H, I, and J. Each is displayed in a petri dish 9 cm in diameter.
Which of the 6 sand samples is dominated byolivine?
Group of answer choicesEFGHIJ
Flag question: Question 13Question 130.6pts
Examine the loose sand samples E, F, G, H, I, and J. Each is displayed in a petri dish 9 cm in diameter.
Which of the 6 sand samples is dominated bycoarse quartz sand?
Group of answer choicesEFGHIJ
Flag question: Question 14Question 140.7pts
Compare the loose sand samples E, F, G, H, I, and J.
Which of the 6 sand samples ismost likely from Hawaii?
(Recall that Hawaii is a basaltic volcanic island.)
Group of answer choicesEFGHIJ
Flag question: Question 15Question 150.6pts
Compare the loose sand samples E, F, G, H, I, and J.
Which of the 6 sand samples is most likely fromVirginia Beach, Virginia?
Group of answer choicesEFGHIJ
Flag question: Question 16Question 160.7pts
Compare the loose sand samples E, F, G, H, I, and J.
Windblown sand is typically finer-grained, better-sorted, and more well-rounded than water-transported sand.
Bearing this in mind, which of the 6 sand samples is most likely fromsand dunes in Dubai?
Group of answer choicesEFGHIJ
Flag question: Question 17Question 170.7pts
Examine sample L. Bear in mind that it would fizz if you applied hydrochloric acid to it.
Namesample L.
(Consult the figures in the above PDF for examples/reference.)
Group of answer choicesbrecciaconglomeratequartz sandstonearkoselithic sandstonegraywackesiltstoneshaleclaystonepeatlignitebituminous coalcoquinafossiliferous limestonechalkmicriteoolitic limestonetravertinedolostonerock saltrock gypsumironstonechert
Flag question: Question 18Question 180.6pts
What appears to bethe critical variable that distinguishes "fossiliferous limestone"from a massive limestone like micrite that happens to have a fossil or two in it?
Group of answer choicesFossiliferous limestones must be dark-colored.Fossiliferous limestones must be dominated by fossils: the fossils must make up a significant volume of the rock itself. In other words, the rock is defined by it's prodigous fossil content.
Flag question: Question 19Question 190.6pts
Compare samples M and N.
Both show fossils. However, one shows organisms that live on land, while the other shows organisms that live in the ocean (marine water).
Which sample was deposited inmarine (oceanic) conditions?
Group of answer choicesMN
Flag question: Question 20Question 200.7pts
Examine samples P and Q.
P shows a quartet of small rock samples, each a few centimeters long. Originally, they were collected in West Virginia.
Q is an outcrop in West Virginia, a few miles from where the samples of P were collected.
Both are the same geologic formation (or geologic unit).Both would fizzif you firstcrushed them up to powder, and added hydrochloric acidto that powder.
Namethe sedimentary rock that makes up both samples P and Q.
(Consult the figures in the above PDF for examples/reference.)
Group of answer choicesbrecciaconglomeratequartz sandstonearkoselithic sandstonegraywackesiltstoneshaleclaystonepeatlignitebituminous coalcoquinafossiliferous limestonechalkmicriteoolitic limestonetravertinedolostonerock saltrock gypsumironstonechert
Flag question: Question 21Question 210.7pts
Examine sample P.
There is a prominent sedimentary structure to be seen in this sample.Identify this primary sedimentary structure.
(Consult the figures in the above PDF for examples/reference.)
Group of answer choicesraindrop impressionsgraded bed(s)current ripple marks
(also called "asymmetrical ripple marks")cross-beddingbimodal cross-beddingwave ripple marks
(also called "symmetrical ripple marks" or "oscillation ripple marks")mudcrack(s)
(also called dessication cracks)salt cast(s)
(preserved cubic shapes of halite crystals, now formed from sedimentary rock)flute(s)flute cast(s)fossil plant roots
(trace fossils)animal burrows
(trace fossils)animal tracks, trackways, and trails
(trace fossils)body fossils
(once-living tissue or skeletal material)Flag question: Question 22Question 220.6pts
Examine sample Q.
There is a prominent sedimentary structure to be seen in this sample.Identify this primary sedimentary structure.
(Consult the figures in the above PDF for examples/reference.)
Group of answer choicesraindrop impressionsgraded bed(s)current ripple marks
(also called "asymmetrical ripple marks")cross-beddingbimodal cross-beddingwave ripple marks
(also called "symmetrical ripple marks" or "oscillation ripple marks")mudcrack(s)
(also called dessication cracks)salt cast(s)
(preserved cubic shapes of halite crystals, now formed from sedimentary rock)flute(s)flute cast(s)fossil plant roots
(trace fossils)animal burrows
(trace fossils)animal tracks, trackways, and trails
(trace fossils)body fossils
(once-living tissue or skeletal material)Flag question: Question 23Question 230.7pts
Think about the characteristics of sample R, and offer an interpretation for thedepositional setting(sedimentary environment; consult the figures in the attached PDF for examples/reference) where it would have formed. Your interpretation should be consistent with the physical characteristics that you have noted for the sample.
Group of answer choicesevaporating playa lakehot springsbog or swampglacierdebris at base of cliff / alluvial fanriver channelriver floodplainlakedelta (where a river flows into a standing body of water like a lake or the ocean)sand dunesbeachshallow sea (clastic sediment)shallow sea (carbonate bank)carbonate reefturbidity current (deep sea fan) on the continental slopedeep sea (abyssal plain)
Flag question: Question 24Question 240.6pts
Examine sample S. Note (a) that it would
not
fizz if you applied hydrochloric acid to it, and (b) it would break with a conchoidal fracture, and (c) it can scratch glass.
Namesample S.
(Consult the figures in the above PDF for examples/reference.)
Group of answer choicesbrecciaconglomeratequartz sandstonearkoselithic sandstonegraywackesiltstoneshaleclaystonepeatlignitebituminous coalcoquinafossiliferous limestonechalkmicriteoolitic limestonetravertinedolostonerock saltrock gypsumironstonechert
Flag question: Question 25Question 250.7pts
Think about the characteristics of sample S, and offer an interpretation for thedepositional setting(sedimentary environment; (Consult the figures in the above PDF for examples/reference) where it would have formed. Your interpretation should be consistent with the physical characteristics that you have noted for the sample.
Group of answer choicesevaporating playa lakehot springsbog or swampglacierdebris at base of cliff / alluvial fanriver channelriver floodplainlakedelta (where a river flows into a standing body of water like a lake or the ocean)sand dunesbeachshallow sea (clastic sediment)shallow sea (carbonate bank)carbonate reefturbidity current (deep sea fan) on the continental slopedeep sea (abyssal plain)
Flag question: Question 26Question 260.7pts
Examine the coarse-grained samples T, U, V, and W.
Which of the 4 samplesfeatures clasts of vesicular basalt?
Group of answer choicesTUVW
Flag question: Question 27Question 270.6pts
Examine the coarse-grained samples T, U, V, and W.
Which of the 4 samples featuresclasts of granite?
Group of answer choicesTUVW
Flag question: Question 28Question 280.7pts
Examine the coarse-grained samples T, U, V, and W.
Which of the 4 samples features well-roundedclasts of green mudrock?
Group of answer choicesTUVW
Flag question: Question 29Question 290.6pts
Examine the coarse-grained samples T, U, V, and W.
Which of the 4 samples features clasts that arethe most angularof the group?
Group of answer choicesTUVW
Flag question: Question 30Question 300.7pts
Examine sample X.
There is a prominent sedimentary structure to be seen in this sample.Identify this primary sedimentary structure.
(Consult the figures in the above PDF for examples/reference.)
Group of answer choicesraindrop impressionsgraded bed(s)current ripple marks
(also called "asymmetrical ripple marks")cross-beddingbimodal cross-beddingwave ripple marks
(also called "symmetrical ripple marks" or "oscillation ripple marks")mudcrack(s)
(also called dessication cracks)salt cast(s)
(preserved cubic shapes of halite crystals, now formed from sedimentary rock)flute(s)flute cast(s)fossil plant roots
(trace fossils)animal burrows
(trace fossils)animal tracks, trackways, and trails
(trace fossils)body fossils
(once-living tissue or skeletal material)