Introduction
Cross-strata are layers of sediment that are inclined relative to the base and top of the set in which the inclined layers are grouped. Each group is called a set of cross-strata or a cross-stratified bed (Figure C79). Individual cross-strata can be classified (McKee and Weir, 1953) as cross-laminae (<1 cm thick) or cross-beds (>1 cm thick). In general, each set of cross-strata is deposited by a migrating bedform. Thin sets are deposited by small migrating bedforms such as ripples, small dunes, or small antidunes, and thick sets are deposited by larger dunes, antidunes, bars, or other large bedforms (Allen, 1962; Harms and Fahnestock, 1965). Cross-strata are a natural record of transported sediment and are therefore useful for understanding the behavior of modern bedforms and for interpreting environments in ancient deposits.
Example of eolian cross-stratification.
Bed “A” (between heavy white lines) is a cross-stratified bed or set of cross-strata. Because the...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Bibliography
Allen, J.R.L., 1962. Asymmetrical ripple marks and the origin of cross-stratification: Nature, 194: 167–169.
Allen, J.R.L., 1963a. Asymmetrical ripple marks and the origin of water-laid cosets of cross-strata. Liverpool Manchester Geological Journal, 3: 187–236.
Allen, J.R.L., 1963. The classification of cross-stratified units with notes on their origin. Sedimentology, 2: 93–114.
Allen, J.R.L., 1981. Paleotidal speeds and ranges estimated from cross-bedding sets with mud drapes. Nature, 293: 394–396.
Bagnold, R.A., 1941. The Physics of Blown Sand and Desert Dunes. London: Metheun.
Barrell, J., 1917. Rhythms and the measurement of geological time. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America, 28: 45–904.
Harms, J.C., and Fahnestock, R.K., 1965. Stratification, bed forms, and flow phenomena, with an example from the Rio Grande. In Middleton, G.V. (ed.), Primary Sedimentary Structures and Their Hydrodynamic Interpretation. SEPM Special Publication, 12, pp. 84–115.
Harms, J.C., Southard, J.B., Spearing, D.R., and Walker, R.G., 1975. Depositional Environments as Interpreted from Primary Sedimentary Structures and Stratification Sequences. SEPM Short Course 2, Dallas: 161 pp.
Hunter, R.E., 1977. Basic types of stratification in small eolian dunes. Sedimentology, 24: 362–387.
Hunter, R.E., 1985. A kinematic model for the structure of lee-side deposits. Sedimentology, 32: 409–422.
Hunter, R.E., and Kocurek, G., 1986. An experimental study of subaqueous slipface deposition. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 56: 387–394.
Hunter, R.E., and Rubin, D.M., 1983. Interpreting cyclic crossbedding, with an example from the Navajo Sandstone. In Brookfield, M.E., and Ahlbrandt, T.S., (eds.), Eolian Sediments and Processes. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 429–454.
Jopling, A.V., 1965. Laboratory study of the distribution of grain sizes in cross-bedded deposits. In Middleton, G.V., (ed.), Primary Sedimentary Structures and their Hydrodynamic Interpretation. SEPM Special Publication, 12, pp. 53–65.
McCabe, P.J., and Jones, C.M., 1977. Formation of reactivation surfaces within superimposed deltas and bedforms. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 47: 707–715.
McKee, E.D., and Weir, G.W., 1953. Terminology for stratification and cross-stratification in sedimentary rocks. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America, 64: 381–389.
Paola, C., and Borgman, L., 1991. Reconstructing random topography from preserved stratification. Sedimentology, 38: 553–565.
Potter, P.E., and Pettijohn, F.J., 1963. Paleocurrents and Basin Analysis, 2nd edn, 1977, Springer-Verlag.
Reiche, P., 1938. An analysis of cross-lamination: the Coconino Sandstone. Journal of Geology, 46: 905–932.
Rubin, D.M., 1987. Cross-Bedding, Bedforms, and Paleocurrents. SEPM Concepts in Sedimentology and Paleontology, 1, 187p.
Rubin, D.M., and Hunter, R.E., 1982. Bedform climbing in theory and nature. Sedimentology, 29: 121–138.
Rubin, D.M. and Hunter, R.E., 1983. Reconstructing bedform assemblages from compound crossbedding. In Brookfield, M.E., and Ahlbrandt, T.S., (eds.), Eolian Sediments and Processes. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 407–427.
Rubin, D.M., and Hunter, R.E., 1987. Bedform alignment in directionally varying flows. Science, 237: 276–278.
Sorby, H.C., 1859. On the structures produced by the currents present during the deposition of stratified rocks. The Geologist, 2: 137–147.
Shotton, F.W., 1937. The lower Bunter Sandstones of North Worchestershire and East Shropshire. Geological Magazine, 74: 534–553.
Cross-references
Angle of ReposeBedding and Internal StructuresBedset and LaminasetConvolute LaminationCyclic SedimentationDeformation of SedimentsDunes, EolianEolian Transport and DepositionGrain FlowHummocky and Swaley Cross-StratificationPaleocurrent AnalysisRipple, Ripple Mark, and Ripple StructureSediment Transport Sedimentologists Turbidites
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1978 Dowden, Hutchinson & Ross, Inc.
About this entry
Cite this entry
Rubin, D.M. (1978). Cross-stratification. In: Middleton, G.V., Church, M.J., Coniglio, M., Hardie, L.A., Longstaffe, F.J. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-3609-5_56
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-3609-5_56
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-0872-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-3609-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive