Defining sedimentological and ichnological relations in modern depositional environments

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Sedimentary rocks in the subsurface host significant quantities of the world's oil, natural gas, and water resources. Consequently, being able to predict the distribution of sediments in these reservoirs is vital to the effective exploration for and responsible development of hydrocarbons and potable water. In many cases, the sands and gravels that comprise sandstones and conglomerates were deposited along coastlines similar to those that ring the world's oceans today. Scientists studying the distribution of sediments (sedimentology) and animal burrows (ichnology) along these coastlines have developed qualitative (observation-based) models that are used to predict the overall geometry and internal architecture of sandstones and conglomerates. These qualitative models, however, are no longer adequate for deciphering the complexities inherent in sedimentary rocks. The best mechanism for improving upon existing models is through the quantification and semi-quantification of observations made on modern coastlines. Whereas qualitative models present idealized examples, mathematical relations derived from the modern can be used to make quantitative predictions of the architecture and geometry of sedimentary successions. This is particularly important in the subsurface, where predictive tools developed in the modern can be used to extrapolate and model subsurface data beyond the well bore - be it an oil well or water well.