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RES.12-003 | Fall 2025 | Graduate

# Fluid Motions, Sediment Transport, and Current-Generated Sedimentary Structures

A detailed exploration of cross‑stratification reveals how sedimentary structures record the history of flowing water and waves. The video explains how bedforms such as ripples and dunes migrate and deposit layers that are later preserved as inclined laminae separated by erosion surfaces, allowing geologists to interpret past flow directions and conditions. It highlights different styles of cross‑stratification—such as climbing ripples, trough structures, and large dune deposits—and shows how their geometry depends on the balance between sediment supply and bedform movement. The discussion also extends to oscillatory and combined flows, introducing complex features like hummocky cross‑stratification and emphasizing the challenges of distinguishing between flow types in the rock record. Overall, the presentation demonstrates how careful observation of sedimentary patterns can be used to reconstruct ancient environments and flow dynamics.

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## Course Info

### Instructor

- Prof. John Southard

### Departments

- Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences

### As Taught In

Fall 2025

### Level

Graduate

### Topics

- Science
  - Earth Science
    - Geology

### Learning Resource Types

theaters Lecture Videos

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