Sorting of Sediments & Age of a Stream Aim: How is the deposition of sediments sorted?

Sorting of Sediments

Sediment left behind by glaciers and gravity falls are UNSORTED

Sediments that are left behind by streams and wind are SORTED by size. Decreasing size

Horizontal Sorting As a river flows and enter into an ocean, heavier/larger sediments are dropped off first while smaller particles are carried longer.

Horizontal Sorting

Vertical Sorting As rivers enter into standing bodies of water, (example Lakes), sediments are deposited according to size.

Graded Bedding This can occur where a stream enters a lake. Each spring the snow melts causing there to be more water allowing it to carry larger particles and therefore depositing larger particles. By the winter the river has slowed down carrying only small particles and depositing small particles. The whole process will repeat again in the spring.

Graded Bedding

Stages of a Streams Life A stream passes through a series of stages in its lifetime each having certain characteristics. 3 Main Life Cycle Stages Youth Maturity Old Age Oh Man! Look at the curves on that… STREAM