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Micromorphology of glacial sediments

John Hiemstra Orcid Logo, Emrys R. Phillips

Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

Swansea University Author: John Hiemstra Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): 10.1016/b978-0-323-99931-1.00009-x

Abstract

Since its introduction in the 1980s, micromorphology has proved invaluable in its application to glacial sediments. Particularly where visible exposures are limited, such as in sediment cores, there may be a need for detailed information, which cannot be provided by conventional sedimentological tec...

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Published in: Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
ISBN: 9780124095489
Published: Elsevier 2023
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa62280
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Abstract: Since its introduction in the 1980s, micromorphology has proved invaluable in its application to glacial sediments. Particularly where visible exposures are limited, such as in sediment cores, there may be a need for detailed information, which cannot be provided by conventional sedimentological techniques. Micromorphology entails the qualitative and quantitative study of thin sections under a transmitted-light petrographic microscope. Using relatively low magnifications, undisturbed sediment samples of glacial sediments can be analyzed in both plane- and cross-polarized light. The visual and computer-assisted analyses of texture, micro-structure, micro-fabric and plasmic fabric allows for interpretations in terms of depositional and deformational history, which is often critical for the reliable reconstruction of Quaternary environments based on the preserved glacial sedimentary records.
Keywords: Birefringence; Deformation; Deposition; Diamicton; Glacial sedimentary records; Image analysis; Impregnation; Microfabric; Microstructure; Micro-tomography; Plasmic fabric; Shear; Strain; Texture; Thin section
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering