Maximizing Information from Fine-Grained Sedimentary Rocks: An Inclusive Nomenclature for Mudstones

ABSTRACT A simple nomenclature for fine-grained sedimentary rocks is proposed based on sedimentary structures present and abundance of all materials forming more than 10% of rock volume irrespective of their origin (allochthonous, autochthonous, and diagenetic). A mudstone (sedimentary rock that comprises > 50% grains 90% clay), "silt- and sand-bearing, clay-rich mudstone" (50 to 90% clay, 10 to 50% sand, 10 to 50% silt), and "calcite ce-ment-, calcareous nannoplankton-, and clay-bearing mudstone" (all components 10 to 50%). Textural information can and should be incorporated into this scheme by prefixing the rock name with descriptions such as "bioturbated," and "thin-bedded." Such a nomenclature is necessary to fully describe variability within fine-grained sedimentary rocks that hitherto have typically been described using selected constituents of varying significance such as total organic carbon, fissility, parting spacing, -ray signature, and lamination. Using the inclusive nomenclature proposed here will improve opportunities to compare all fine-grained sediments, aid interpretation of depositional and diagenetic controls of variability, and enable these rocks to be more easily integrated into basin-scale facies models.