What is a facies in geology?

1. n. [Geology] The overall characteristics of a rock unit that reflect its origin and differentiate the unit from others around it. Mineralogy and sedimentary source, fossil content, sedimentary structures and texture distinguish one facies from another. See: depositional environment, lithofacies.

What are the types of facies?

Types of facies

  • Sedimentary facies.
  • Metamorphic facies.
  • Seismic facies.

What does facies mean in Latin?

face
Etymology. Borrowed from Latin faciēs (“form, configuration, figure; face, visage, countenance”).

What is a facies fossil?

A fossil organism that is restricted to a particular rock, reflecting the original environment of deposition.

What is a facies map?

A map showing the distribution of different types of rock attributes or facies occurring within a designated geologic unit.

What is metamorphic facies in geology?

In current usage, a metamorphic facies is a set of metamorphic mineral assemblages, repeatedly associated in space and time, such that there is a constant and therefore predictable relation between mineral composition and chemical composition. The facies concept is more or less observation-based.

What is facies analysis?

Facies analysis is the description and classifi- cation of any body of sediment followed by the interpretation of its processes and environments of deposition, usually in the form of a facies model (Table 1).

What does Cordis mean?

of the heart
cordis in American English (ˈkɔrdɪs, ˈkour-) adjective. (in prescriptions) of the heart.

What is an index fossil and how is it used?

Index fossils are of organisms that lived over a wide area. They lived for a fairly short period of time. An index fossil allows a scientist to determine the age of the rock it is in.

What is geophysical mapping?

Geophysical maps provide insight into an area’s geology by illuminating features and subsurface characteristics not apparent from a geologic map alone. They are particularly useful in regions where there are limited bedrock outcrops to study.

What is an example of facies in geology?

Since its inception, the facies concept has been extended to related geological concepts. For example, characteristic associations of organic microfossils, and particulate organic material, in rocks or sediments, are called palynofacies. Discrete seismic units are similarly referred to as seismic facies.

What is the medical definition of facies?

Medical Definition of facies. 1 : an appearance and expression of the face characteristic of a particular condition especially when abnormal adenoid facies — see hippocratic facies, moon facies. 2 : an anatomical surface.

What are sedimentary facies?

Sedimentary facies are either descriptive or interpretative. Sedimentary facies are bodies of sediment that are recognizably distinct from adjacent sediments that resulted from different depositional environments. Generally, geologists distinguish facies by the aspect of the rock or sediment being studied.

What are seismic facies?

Seismic facies are mappable three-dimensional seismic units composed of reflection units whose parameters differ from adjacent facies units.