DESIGN OBJECTIVES

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 “Dunham’s Carbonate Rock Texture Classification”;
3. understand the relationship between depositional environment, depositional system, and facies tract; and
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.