1. How to Write Rock Descriptions

2. The Big Picture Source Rock Weathering Physical: Rock Bits
Chemical: Ions
Transport
Sediment Flows
Fluid Flows, Etc.
Deposition
Burial
Compaction
Diagenesis, Etc.
Sedimentology
Observation
Interpretation
Stratigraphy

3. Rock Descriptions

4. Why do we care?

5. Why do we care? It is your job… (seriously…) Basic competency
Cannot do interpretation without observation
You get paid for interpretations… (Cash money…)
Shame…
Look cool! VS

6. Learning Goals Know what a rock description is
Know how to write a rock description
Know what things can be included in a rock description
A little practice…

7. Outline Rock Descriptions Practice What it is How to do it
What to include
Practice

8. What is a Rock Description?
Written description of rock
Observations
Cannot take (all) rocks home!
Your notes
Communication with others
So they understand what you observed

9. How to Write a Rock Description
Start with rock name
Describe small scale features
Grain characteristics
Describe larger features/organization
Organization of clasts/parts
Start small, work big

10. How to Write a Rock Description
Generally:
Succinct
Really dense (boring) text
Clear
Well organized
Observations support
Name given to rock
Later interpretations
NO INTERPRETATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!

11. What to Include in a Rock Description
Include what is useful
Do NOT mention if not useful
Nothing extraneous
See handout
Has the content of this lesson too…
And an example!

12. Practice
Write a rock description of a different rock in front of you (second rock out of three)
Legibly!
5 minutes

13. Practice Hand your writing to a neighbor Edit it well
5 minutes
Return the edits to your partner

14. Practice
Write a rock description of the last rock you have not described!
Legibly!
5 minutes

15. Practice Hand your writing to a neighbor Edit it well
5 minutes
Return the edits to your partner

16. Practice: Homework Turn in: Completed handout
Typed and edited rock description of rock #2
Typed and edited rock description of rock #3
Typed rock description of an unknown rock