The course gives an introduction to sedimentology and sedimentological methods. The course commences with an overview of weathering processes and their importance in forming sediments and sedimentary rocks. The following topics will subsequently be covered: (a) sediment transport, (b) depositional processes, (c) sedimentary textures, (d) mineral composition, classification and formation of the most important sediment types, (e) depositional environments, and (f) sedimentary basins.

The exercises will focus on how sediments and sedimentary structures are formed, and how to identify various sedimentary rocks and their depositional environment. A 6 days fieldcourse is held in southern Spain in late October, where the student will be introduced to sedimentological field methods and various sedimentary deposits, and how these might signal climatic conditions, sea level changes and basin development.

After completing the course GEOV107 the student should be able to:

1. identify the main types of sedimentary rocks such as mudstones, sandstones, conglomerates, limestones and evaporites

2. interpret sedimentary processes based on the composition of the rock and sedimentary structures

3. identify the depositional environment (i.e. continental; shallow and deep marine) based on (1) and (2)

4. identify sedimentary deposits that are characteristic of various types of sedimentary basins