The earlier editions of this book have been used by successive generations of students for more than 20 years, and it is the standard text on the subject in most British universities and many others throughout the world. The study of sediments and sedimentary rocks continues to be a core topic in the Earth Sciences and this book aims to provide a concise account of their composition, mineralogy, textures, structures, diagenesis and depositional environments. This latest edition is noteworthy for the inclusion of 16 plates with 54 colour photomicrographs of sedimentary rocks in thin-section. These bring sediments to life and show their beauty and colorful appearance down the microscope; they will aid the student enormously in laboratory petrographic work. The text has been revised where necessary and the reference and further reading lists brought up-to-date. New tables have been included to help undergraduates with rock and thin-section description and interpretation. Readership; Earth science undergraduates studying sedimentary petrology and sedimentology.

Table of Contents

Preface to the third edition Preface to the second edition Preface to the first edition 1. Introduction: Basic Concepts And Methodology2. Siliciclastic Sediments I: Sandstones, Conglomerates And Breccias3. Siliciclastic Sediments II: Mudrocks4. Limestones5. Evaporites6. Sedimentary Ironstones And Iron-Formations7. Sedimentary Phosphate Deposits8. Coal, Oil Shale And Petroleum9. Cherts And Siliceous Sediments10. Volcaniclastic Sediments References Index Colour plates fall between p. 118 and p. 119

Reviews

"In this excellent new edition of the standard British university textbook on sedimentary petrology, the text and references to further reading have been thoroughly updated to reflect the enormous volume of recent research." Aslib Book Guide, November 2001 "...a textbook designed for undergraduates, but it will also have a wider appeal. Many will find it, as I did, a painless and pleasant way to up-date their knowledge of the origin of sedimentary rocks and the modern techniques employed in the discipline. With a grounding in basic sedimentology the enthusiast will find much in this book of interest even without access to refined technology." Bonita Thomson, Open Universiy, Geology Today