cyclic sedimentation

views updated

cyclic sedimentation A style of sedimentation where the sequence of sedimentary facies develops in a regular and repeated manner. The cycle of sediments may consist of two or more facies, and the cycles may be symmetrical or asymmetrical (e.g. A→ B→ C→ D,A→ B→ C→ D;or A→ B→ C→ D→ C→ B→ A,A→ B→ C→ D→ C→ B→ A. The cyclicity may be the product of repeated episodes of marine transgression and regression linked to climatic cycles (see MILANKOVICH CYCLES), or of the lateral shifting of depositional environments, or due to repeated cycles of tectonic activity in source areas.

More From encyclopedia.com