Principles of Tidal Sedimentology

This book of “Principles of Tidal Sedimentology” presents a comprehensive, contemporary review of tidal environments and deposits. Individual chapters, each written by world-class experts, cover the full spectrum of coastal, shallow-marine and even deep-marine settings where tidal action influences or controls sediment movement and deposition. Both siliciclastic and carbonate deposits are covered. Various chapters examine the dynamics of sediment transport by tides, and the morphodynamics of tidal systems. Several chapters explore the occurrence of tidal deposits in the stratigraphic context of entire sedimentary basins.

The “Principles of Tidal Sedimentology” book is essential reading for both coastal geologists and managers, and geologists interested in extracting hydrocarbons from complex tidal successions.

The book explores the full breadth of tidal systems and processes. Following a historical review, chapters examine tidal physics and hydrodynamics, sediment transport mechanisms, and the diverse depositional environments influenced by tides, ranging from shorelines to estuaries, deltas, sandy tidal flats and marshes, rocky coasts, shelf seas, and the deep ocean. Both siliciclastic and carbonate realms are addressed. Careful consideration is given to recognizing tidal deposits in the stratigraphic record using criteria such as rhythmites, sand accumulation structures, ichnofabrics, and many other attributes. Modern case studies and ancient examples illuminate concepts vividly. In addition, the volume explores tidal analysis in sequence stratigraphy and discusses applications to hydrocarbon reservoir modeling.

With contributions from an international team of leading researchers, this authoritative volume provides a state-of-the-art framework for understanding tidal systems across disciplines from sedimentology and stratigraphy to coastal geology, geomorphology, and engineering. It establishes fundamental knowledge for managing dynamic coastal environments in the face of rising sea levels and will inspire further research into tidal sedimentology.

Contents

1. Tidal Constituents of Modern and Ancient Tidal Rhythmites: Criteria for Recognition and Analyses
2. Principles of Sediment Transport Applicable in Tidal Environments
3. Tidal Signatures and Their Preservation Potential in Stratigraphic Sequences
4. Tidal Ichnology of Shallow-Water Clastic Settings
5. Processes, Morphodynamics, and Facies of Tide-Dominated Estuaries
6. Stratigraphy of Tide-Dominated Estuaries
7. Tide-Dominated Deltas
8. Salt Marsh Sedimentation
9. Open-Coast Tidal Flats
10. Siliciclastic Back-Barrier Tidal Flats
11. Tidal Channels on Tidal Flats and Marshes
12. Morphodynamics and Facies Architecture of Tidal Inlets and Tidal Deltas
13. Shallow-Marine Tidal Deposits
14. Deep-Water Tidal Sedimentology
15. Precambrian Tidal Facies
16. Hypertidal Facies from the Pennsylvanian Period: Eastern and Western Interior Coal Basins, USA
17. Tidal Deposits of the Campanian Western Interior Seaway, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado, USA
18. Contrasting Styles of Siliciclastic Tidal Deposits in a Developing Thrust-Sheet-Top Basins – The Lower Eocene of the Central Pyrenees (Spain)
19. Holocene Carbonate Tidal Flats