textural maturity
geology
Quick Summary
In geology, textural maturity refers to the degree of alteration and rounding of grains within a sedimentary rock, particularly sandstones. This concept is evaluated on a scale with four stages: immature, submature, mature, and supermature.1
- Immature sandstones contain clay matrix and angular, poorly sorted grains.
- Submature sandstones have had their clay matrix removed by currents, but grains remain poorly sorted.
- Mature sandstones are clay-free with subangular grains that are well sorted by size.
- Supermature sandstones are clay-free, well sorted, and have well-rounded grains, often indicative of desert dune environments.1
Textural analysis helps identify depositional environments, as grain size, sorting, and roundness vary with agents like wind and water.1
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