Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Palaeoenvironments (ERTH2003)
Information valid for Semester 1, 2016
Course level
Undergraduate
Faculty
School
Earth Sciences School
Units
2
Duration
One Semester
Delivery mode
Internal
Class hours
2 Lecture hours
3 Practical or Laboratory hours
Recommended prerequisite
ERTH1000 or ERTH1501
Assessment methods
Examinations & assignments
Course enquiries
Study Abroad
This course is pre-approved for Study Abroad and Exchange students.
Current course offerings
Course offerings | Location | Mode | Course Profile |
Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025) | St Lucia | In Person | Course Profile |
Please Note: Course profiles marked as not available may still be in development.
Course description
Sediments and sedimentary rocks are the most abundant geological materials at the Earth's surface. From river systems, coral reefs and deep sea fans, sedimentary sequences are critical archives of the past recording climatic, tectonic and biological processes through time and they also host important resources including hydrocarbons, coal and many base metal deposits. A thorough understanding of sediments and sedimentary rock sequences is vital for students studying Geological Science and extremely useful for students undertaking programs in marine science, palaeontology and archaeology. This course will explore the processes that cause sediments to be produced, transported and deposited. We will examine the composition of sedimentary rocks introducing the traditional petrological microscope and hands on experience of advanced techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy and geochemical analysis using X-ray Fluorescence. We will also undertake short field trips to observe modern sedimentary environments and uncover the geological history of the Brisbane area of the last 400 million years.