Overview

The new edition of this well-known classic text again delivers an objective, model-independent view of the different ways in which rocks can be described and interpreted, using facies analysis through an understanding of sedimentary process. Throughout, this fourth edition includes recent work on the dynamics of stratigraphy, especially with respect to understanding extreme events and climate and sea-level change, new information and illustration of resulting 3D geometries, for example from seismic and ground-penetrating radar, new illustrations, including time lapse satellite and seismic imagery, as well as a summary of current research directions. The main part of the book includes specific chapters for each important depositional environment, from terrestrial to coastal and deep sea settings, with the unifying element of process and facies models. Each chapter can be used independently, as it provides a stand-alone discussion of how a particular sedimentary environment can be reconstructed from a facies analysis of a rock succession, a core, or in some cases, a seismic section or a vertical petrophysical log profile. Three new chapters have been included: 'The Application of Biogenic Sedimentary Structures to Facies Analysis' addresses the effect of biota on sedimentation, and the interpretation of evidence of biological activity such as burrowing and microbial life; 'Pelagic Environments' discusses Milankovitch cyclicity and time series records of climate change, as well as what can and cannot be learned about the evolution of the oceans; 'Extra-terrestrial Sedimentology' summarizes what is known about the sedimentology and sedimentary facies of Mars, the moons of Jupiter, the Moon and other solar system bodies. These additions are in line with a broader approach to Earth Systems Science and reflect the current developments in the field.

Full Product Details

Author:   Bruce Levell (University of Oxford, UK)
Publisher:   John Wiley & Sons Inc
Imprint:   John Wiley & Sons Inc
Edition:   4th edition
ISBN:  

9781119739838

ISBN 10:   1119739837
Pages:   1216
Publication Date:   26 February 2026
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Tertiary & Higher Education
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Available To Order  
We have confirmation that this item is in stock with the supplier. It will be ordered in for you and dispatched immediately.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction Bruce Levell 2. Physical Facies Analysis Howard Johnson, Mike Mayall, and John Reijmer 3. The Application of Biogenic Sedimentary Structures to Facies Analysis James MacEachern, Murray Gingras, and Kerrie Bann 4. The Stratigraphic Record: Preservation, Facies Successions, and Depositional Sequences Bruce Levell and Frans van Buchem 5. Alluvial Sediments Martin Gibling, Allesandro Ielpi, Massimiliano Ghinassi, and Louis Buatois 6. Lake Environments Chenglin Gong, Shunli Li, Ronald J Steel, Xinghe Yu, Louis Buatois, and Xiaomin Zhu 7. Aeolian environments Nigel Mountney, Grace Cosgrove, and Luca Colombera 8. Sand-rich Coasts and Shallow Clastic Seas Daniel Collins and Gary Hampson 9. Fine-grained Coastal and Shallow Marine Sediments Bruce Levell and Guy Plint 10. Marine Evaporite Systems Stephen Lokier and Marcello Natalicchio 11. Marine carbonates Frans van Buchem, John Reijmer, and Emmanuelle Vennin 12. Deep-water Detrital Systems Dave Hodgson, Ian Kane, Chris Jackson, and Elda Miramontes-Garcia 13. Pelagic Environments Stuart Robinson 14. Glacial Landsystems Bethan Davies, Clare Boston, and Dan Le Heron 15. Extra-terrestrial Sedimentology Mathieu Lapotre, Lauren Edgar, and Sanjeev Gupta Index

Reviews

Author Information

Bruce K. Levell is a Visiting Professor at the University of Oxford, UK, after having worked for Royal Dutch Shell for 35 years in various roles, including Chief Scientist Geology and Vice President Emerging Technologies.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Countries Available

All regions