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SEDIMENTARY
LOGGING
BGS short-course
(National Geological Repository)
28/11/2018
What’s the point?!
Introduction
Sedimentary logging is graphical method for describing a succession of sediments or
sedimentary rocks. There are a number of different variants of sedimentary logs but all share
a core theme.
The aim of drawing a sedimentary log is to provide the reader with an easy to read set of
information that can be readily interpreted. To that end, the sedimentary log should ideally
include relatively clear information with the use of simple symbology where appropriate.
Sedimentary logging is most often conducted on clastic (detrital) sedimentary successions
but can be adapted to encompass biogenic and evaporitic sedimentary rocks, or even
igneous and metamophic deposits.
A sedimentary log details a succession of a number of discrete ‘units’. More commonly these
discrete units are based on a facies scheme. The dividing of the outcrop or borehole into the
logged units, is the most important part of the logging exercise.
The detail of the sedimentary log should ideally be driven by the project need or requirement.
For instance, it would be a waste of time to perform a hugely detailed cm-scale log of a
borehole whereby the client wanted only basic stratigraphical information. As such, caution
should be exercised on the intended logging scale (detail).
Handling the core
Please ensure that any core removed from the core boxes are replaced in the
correct position with the correct orientation.
Please also handle the core with care to avoid accidental injury to yourselves,
or more importantly to avoid damage to the core material!
Some core will have coloured lines
draw along its length. These lines can
be of variable colour and are usually
applied soon after drilling. The addition
of the lines is used to prevent pieces of
the core being put upside-down in
relation to the rest of the core.
Note that the middle piece is
orientated incorrectly to the other
pieces (indicated by the coloured
lines).
Some schemes are intended to have a
specific colour to the left and right of
the core as you like at it - thus defining
the core top and bottom.
The coring process can sometimes lead to
the upper parts of a core-run having a
‘Core notch’ ‘notch’ at the top. The damage occurs when
the drill is replaced in the hole after the
subsequent core has been retrieved. As
such, the identification of this damage can
Top sometimes be used to orientate the top of
of individual core runs in the absence of other
run information.
All boreholes are catalogued in the National Geological Box Borehole Map
number name grid
Repository using a barcode system; shown on the by
labels on the borehole boxes. This commonly indicates
the depth range for the core box (top and bottom), but
may also include information on:
Ÿ Which end is the top of the core.
Ÿ Whether the measurements are in imperial or metric
(denoted by a ‘m’ or ‘I’).
Additional depth information is sometimes written on Depth Depth Depth in Borehole
top bottom Imperial (I) number
the insides of the core box.
Logging Sheets
Recording the information during logging is essential. This can be done either by using logging
sheets, or electronically through various logging software packages.
Logging sheets (and logging software) vary considerably with regard to the information they are
intended to capture. Ideally, the data collection method (sheet or software) should be tailored to the
intended project; for instance a project looking specifically at ichnofabrics should have extra emphasis
in the logging sheet or software for this purpose.
The below sheet represents a ‘basic’ or more standard type of logging sheet commonly used.
Maintaining good
Log sheet metadata for logging is
essential when doing
Date Thickness Grid Ref. Top Grid Ref. Bottom
large volumes of data
Location or core name Sheet no. of collection
Notes
Space for lithology - Space for recording Free text space for writing Ideally you should have
usually denoted by the logged unit’s unit descriptions. This some space available to
symbols see symbols facies, if you have a should be succinct but record any salient
page facies scheme convey all useful information information pertaining to
the borehole in general.
Thickness Facies PC Description I.e. It was logged within
days of the core being
Palaeocurrent (PC). Any drilled
palaeocurrent measurements
taken on the core can be
recorded here
Individual logged
units, should have
their thickness
recorded here
gran
vf f m c vc
peb
clay
silt
This is where you populate the
graphical part of the log. Be
aware that some logging
sheets will have the coarsest
grains on the right hand side
(like this one) and on others it
will be to the left side
The depth scale is not defined
on this sheet. You should
choose a scale appropriate to
your needs. Variable scale can
be used though you should
avoid doing so if possible
gran
vf f m c vc
peb
clay
silt
This sheet uses a standard scale
for (of grainsize) for use with
clastic (detrital) sedimentary
rocks, you may encounter those
that have carbonate or other
scales as well
You should always
provide a means for
gran.
peb.
vf f m c vc
clay
silt
Sand If Found Please return to:
Address: you to retrieve your
sheets if they get lost
Logging Example
Below is an example of a completed logging sheet. Note the regimented structure is recording unit
descriptions. Note also the use of a variable scale between15 and 12 metres depth.
Location of selected boreholes
2 N
13 14 15
1 16 15 16
19 21 22 7
20
23
26 27 28 29 30 1 2
3
SCOTLAND 1) 16/03a-11 Cairngorm
2) 211/8c-4 Tybalt
3) 29/05b-8 Franklin
4) 30/16-2 Auk
5) 44/28-2 Ketch 4
6) Noah Dale
34 35 36 37 38
39
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30
40 41 42 43 44
CLEVELAND
BASIN
5
48 49
47
6 46
ENGLAND
EAST MIDLANDS
SHELF 52 53 54
LONDON -
BARBANT
HIGH
Oil & Gas Field 50 km
Sedimentary log symbols
Lithology Structure
Sandstone Horizontal bedding
Calcareous Horizontal lamination
Sandstone
Clast Supported
Conglomerate Planar xbeds
Matrix Supported
Low-angle xbeds
Conglomerate
Shale Trough xbeds
Calcareous Massive
Shale
Mudstone Current Ripples
Siltstone Wave Ripples
Chalk Pebbles
Limestone Imbrication
Dolomite Dessication cracks
Diamicton Roots
v v Volcaniclastic
v Deformation
v v rocks
Boundary Nodules
Sharp and
Micaceous
conformable
Gradational Shells
Loaded Broken Shells
Intercalated Load & Flame
Structures
Faulted Bioturbation
Erosional Faulting
Please note that a variety of different symbols are used by different authors/audiences. The above list represents
commonly used and frequently encountered symbols but should also not be considered an exhaustive list.
Log sheet
Date Thickness Grid Ref. Top Grid Ref. Bottom
Location or core name Sheet no. of
Notes
Thickness Facies PC Description
gran
vf f m c vc
peb
clay
silt
gran
vf f m c vc
peb
clay
silt
gran.
peb.
vf f m c vc
clay
silt
Sand If Found Please return to:
Address:
Log sheet
Date Thickness Grid Ref. Top Grid Ref. Bottom
Location or core name Sheet no. of
Notes
Thickness Facies PC Description
gran
vf f m c vc
peb
clay
silt
gran
vf f m c vc
peb
clay
silt
gran.
peb.
vf f m c vc
clay
silt
Sand If Found Please return to:
Address:
Log sheet
Date Thickness Grid Ref. Top Grid Ref. Bottom
Location or core name Sheet no. of
Notes
Thickness Facies PC Description
gran
vf f m c vc
peb
clay
silt
gran
vf f m c vc
peb
clay
silt
gran.
peb.
vf f m c vc
clay
silt
Sand If Found Please return to:
Address:
Log sheet
Date Thickness Grid Ref. Top Grid Ref. Bottom
Location or core name Sheet no. of
Notes
Thickness Facies PC Description
gran
vf f m c vc
peb
clay
silt
gran
vf f m c vc
peb
clay
silt
gran.
peb.
vf f m c vc
clay
silt
Sand If Found Please return to:
Address:
Log sheet
Date Thickness Grid Ref. Top Grid Ref. Bottom
Location or core name Sheet no. of
Notes
Thickness Facies PC Description
gran
vf f m c vc
peb
clay
silt
gran
vf f m c vc
peb
clay
silt
gran.
peb.
vf f m c vc
clay
silt
Sand If Found Please return to:
Address:
Log sheet
Date Thickness Grid Ref. Top Grid Ref. Bottom
Location or core name Sheet no. of
Notes
Thickness Facies PC Description
gran
vf f m c vc
peb
clay
silt
gran
vf f m c vc
peb
clay
silt
gran.
peb.
vf f m c vc
clay
silt
Sand If Found Please return to:
Address:
