Sedimentology: general introduction and definitions : fluvial sediment and channel morphology

Sedimentology, the study of sedimentary rocks and the processes by which they are formed, includes and is related to a large number of phenomena. Sedimentology includes the five fundamental processes defined by the term sediaentation --weathering, erosion, transportation, deposition and diagenesis. Sedimentology shares with geomorphology the study of the surface features of the earth. Sedimentology also shares with hydrology the study of river.--channels. River channels are formed in part or in total as a result of flowing water and sediment transport, commonly called the "work of the rivers." This survey of published literature was made to aid in arriving at definitions which would be acceptable to, and representative of, a majority of professional personnel actively engaged in laboratory and field investigations related to the "work of the river." The definitions in this list are intended to explain the terms used in studies of fluvial sediment and channel morphology. No set of definitions can expect universal acceptance, however, i t is hoped that this compilation will be considered a summary and synthesis of present and past usage and that it will serve as a starting point for future usage. Multiple references are cited from textbooks, glossaries and dictionaries, scientific journals and u.s. Government publications. To obtain a mutual understanding and enhance precision, many of the proposed definitions are a composite of those selected from papers or reports covering research studies and field investigations. A draft of this glossary has been reviewed by a group of interested personnel. The results of this review have been carefully considered and the originally-suggested definitions have been revised accordingly, resulting in the present compilation. R. G. Wolff, with the help of Mrs. v. Blatcher, carried out the literature search and compilation of terms and the review results. Paul c. Benedict approved or composed the definitions as presented in this report.