| Revision as of 22:30, 13 January 2018 editGeoWriter (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users28,152 edits Introduction - corrected probable error - changed 60 minutes latitute to 60 degrees latitude if further from equator than subtropics (which are up to 23.5 degrees latitude)← Previous edit | Latest revision as of 12:24, 3 August 2019 edit undoSquisherDa (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users2,599 edits Changing short description from "A friable to well-cemented sedimentary rock that consists of a variable mixture of gravel-, sand-, and silt-sized sediment that is cemented with carbonate minerals and has formed along a shoreline" to "Sedimentary rock cemented with carbonates, formed along a shoreline" (Shortdesc helper) | ||
| (2 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| {{short description|Sedimentary rock cemented with carbonates, formed along a shoreline}} | |||
| {{Refimprove|date=September 2008}} | {{Refimprove|date=September 2008}} | ||
| ] island seashore]] | ] island seashore]] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| '''Beachrock''' is a friable to well-cemented ] that consists of a variable mixture of ]-, ]-, and ]-sized ] that is ] with ] minerals and has formed along a shoreline. Depending on location, the sediment that is cemented to form beachrock can consist of a variable mixture of ], coral fragments, rock fragments of different types, and other materials. It can contain scattered ], pieces of wood, and coconuts. Beachrock typically forms within the intertidal zone within tropical or semitropical regions. However, ] beachrock is also found as far north and south as 60° latitude.<ref name="NeuendorfOthers2005a">Neuendorf, K.K.E., J.P. Mehl, Jr., and J.A. Jackson, J.A., eds. (2005) ''Glossary of Geology'' (5th ed.). Alexandria, Virginia, American Geological Institute. 779 pp. {{ISBN|0-922152-76-4}}</ref><ref name="ScholleOthers1983a">Scholle, P.A., D.G. Bebout, and C.H. Moore (1983) ''Carbonate Depositional Environments.'' Memoir no. 33. Tulsa, Oklahoma, American Association of Petroleum Geologists. 708 pp. {{ISBN|978-0-89181-310-1}}</ref> | '''Beachrock''' is a ] to well-cemented ] that consists of a variable mixture of ]-, ]-, and ]-sized ] that is ] with ] minerals and has formed along a shoreline. Depending on location, the sediment that is cemented to form beachrock can consist of a variable mixture of ], coral fragments, rock fragments of different types, and other materials. It can contain scattered ], pieces of wood, and coconuts. Beachrock typically forms within the intertidal zone within tropical or semitropical regions. However, ] beachrock is also found as far north and south as 60° latitude.<ref name="NeuendorfOthers2005a">Neuendorf, K.K.E., J.P. Mehl, Jr., and J.A. Jackson, J.A., eds. (2005) ''Glossary of Geology'' (5th ed.). Alexandria, Virginia, American Geological Institute. 779 pp. {{ISBN|0-922152-76-4}}</ref><ref name="ScholleOthers1983a">Scholle, P.A., D.G. Bebout, and C.H. Moore (1983) ''Carbonate Depositional Environments.'' Memoir no. 33. Tulsa, Oklahoma, American Association of Petroleum Geologists. 708 pp. {{ISBN|978-0-89181-310-1}}</ref> | ||
| == Overview == | == Overview == | ||
Latest revision as of 12:24, 3 August 2019
Sedimentary rock cemented with carbonates, formed along a shoreline | This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Beachrock" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (September 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
.JPG)
Beachrock is a friable to well-cemented sedimentary rock that consists of a variable mixture of gravel-, sand-, and silt-sized sediment that is cemented with carbonate minerals and has formed along a shoreline. Depending on location, the sediment that is cemented to form beachrock can consist of a variable mixture of shells, coral fragments, rock fragments of different types, and other materials. It can contain scattered artifacts, pieces of wood, and coconuts. Beachrock typically forms within the intertidal zone within tropical or semitropical regions. However, Quaternary beachrock is also found as far north and south as 60° latitude.
Overview
Beachrock units form under a thin cover of sediment and generally overlie unconsolidated sand. They typically consist of multiple units, representing multiple episodes of cementation and exposure. The mineralogy of beachrocks is mainly high-magnesium calcite or aragonite. The main processes involved in the cementation are : supersaturation with CaCO3 through direct evaporation of seawater, groundwater CO2 degassing in the vadose zone, mixing of marine and meteoric water fluxes and precipitation of micritic calcium carbonate as a byproduct of microbiological activity.
On retreating coasts, outcrops of beachrock may be evident offshore where they may act as a barrier against coastal erosion. Beachrock presence can also induce sediment deficiency in a beach and out-synch its wave regime. Because beachrock is lithified within the intertidal zone and because it commonly forms in a few years, its potential as an indicator of past sea level is important.
Cementation and position of beachrock
Beachrocks are located along the coastline in a parallel term and they are usually a few meters offshore. They are generally separated in several levels which may correspond to different generations of beachrock cementation. Thus, the older zones are located in the outer part of the formation when the younger ones are on the side of the beach, possibly under the unconsolidated sand. They also seem to have a general inclination to the sea (50 – 150). There are several appearances of beachrock formations which are characterized by multiple cracks and gaps. The result from this fact is an interruptible formation of separated blocks of beachrock, which may be of the same formation.
The length of beachrocks varies from meters to kilometers, its width can reach up to 300 meters and its height starts from 30 cm and reaches 3 meters.
Following the process of coastal erosion, beachrock formation may be uncovered. Coastal erosion may be the result of sea level rise or deficit in sedimentary equilibrium. One way or another, unconsolidated sand that covers the beachrock draws away and the formation is revealed. If the process of cementation continues, new beachrock would be formed in a new position in the intertidal zone. Successive phases of sea level change may result in sequential zones of beachrock.
See also
References
- Neuendorf, K.K.E., J.P. Mehl, Jr., and J.A. Jackson, J.A., eds. (2005) Glossary of Geology (5th ed.). Alexandria, Virginia, American Geological Institute. 779 pp. ISBN 0-922152-76-4
- Scholle, P.A., D.G. Bebout, and C.H. Moore (1983) Carbonate Depositional Environments. Memoir no. 33. Tulsa, Oklahoma, American Association of Petroleum Geologists. 708 pp. ISBN 978-0-89181-310-1
- Scoffin, T.P. & Stoddart, D.R. 1983. Beachrock and intertidal sediments, Chemical Sediments and Geomorphology. Academic Press, Inc.
- Hanor, J.S. 1978. Precipitation of Beachrock Cements: Mixing of Marine and Meteoric Waters Vs. Co2-Degassing.
- SCHMALZ, R.F. 1971. Formation of beachrock at Eniwetok Atoll.
- Neumeier, U. 1998. The role of microbial activity in early cementation of beachrocks (intertidal sediments). PhD Thesis, University of Geneva. Terre et Environment (12).
