Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks

This textbook outlines the physical, chemical, and biologic properties of the major sedimentary rocks, as revealed by petrographic microscopy, geochemical techniques, and field study. It covers the mineralogy, chemistry, textures, and sedimentary structures that characterise sedimentary rocks, and relates these features to the depositional origin of the rocks and their subsequent alteration by diagenetic processes during burial. In addition to detailed sections on siliciclastic and carbonate rocks, it also discusses evaporites, cherts, iron-rich sedimentary rocks, phosphorites, and carbonaceous sedimentary rocks such as oil shales. This second edition maintains the comprehensive treatment of sedimentary petrography and petrology provided in the first edition, and has been updated with new concepts and cutting-edge techniques like cathodoluminescence imaging of sedimentary rocks and backscattered electron microscopy. It is ideal for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in sedimentary petrology, and is a key reference for researchers and professional petroleum geoscientists.

Sam Boggs, Jr. received his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado and worked in the petroleum industry for a number of years before joining the University of Oregon, where he taught sedimentology and related subjects for more than 30 years, and where he continues his research in sedimentary petrology as a Professor Emeritus. He has also worked part-time as a research geologist for the US Geological Survey. Professor Boggs is a member of the Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM), the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, and the Geological Society of America. He is the co-author of two other books for Cambridge University Press: Backscattered Scanning Electron Microscopy and Image Analysis of Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks (1998) and Application of Cathodoluminescence Imaging to Study of Sedimentary Rocks (2006), as well as the author of four other books.