CORE CONCEPTS

The information contained in this learning module is designed to help the student

1. Understand the controls on modern carbonate production and deposition.
2. Classify ancient carbonate rocks according to the “Dunham’s Carbonate Rock Texture Classification.”
3. Understand the relationship between depositional environment, depositional system, and facies tract.
4. Recognize peritidal, platform-interior, platform-margin, slope, and basin facies that form the major carbonate systems and how they are distributed across a platform.