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A number of keys are provided for sedimentary rock identification. These range from generalized to more complex, and are listed more or less in that order. A Basic Key Including Clastic, Chemical and Biochemical Rocks >>>Basic Key - pdf version Clastic Rocks including breccias, conglomerates, sandstones, siltstones and shales. These keys also include quartz, feldspar, and lithic rock identification. >>>QFL Key - pdf version >>>QFL Ternary System - the QFL key is based on a ternary diagram system, discussed at this link. Chemical/Biochemical Rocks including all those rocks that are not carbonates (limestones and dolomites). >>>Chemical/Biochemical Key - pdf version Carbonate Rocks including limestones and dolomites. Aside from a very simple classification (micrite, fossil limestone) carbonate classification does not translate well into a key format. The key below is based on the Folk Classification system, but since that classification is capable of dividing carbonates into myriad shades of differences, a key is stuck with making arbitrary divisions that do not always work well. With a key like this there are always rocks that exist that just do not fit the key. In addition, dolomite is a special problem, but see this dolomite discussion. >>>Carbonate Key - pdf version |
Last Update: 10/26/00 | e-mail: (Fichtels@jmu.edu) |