Density, Porosity, and Compaction of Sedimentary Rocks

TLDR

An efficient laboratory method for measuring the bulk volume of rock chunks is described. The relationships among burial depth, density, porosity, and compaction are expressed by exponential equations. Data show that burial depth correlates with density, porosity, and compaction across sediment types, with tables illustrating these relationships in north‑central Oklahoma and enabling estimates of eroded material depth.

Abstract

An efficient laboratory method of obtaining the bulk volume of a chunk sample of rock is explained. The relation between depth of burial and the density, porosity, and compaction of different types of sediment is discussed and data are presented. These relations can be expressed by exponential equations. Compaction as a cause of structure is substantiated by computation and data. A table is given showing the relation in north-central Oklahoma between depth of burial, height of buried hills, and closure resulting from compaction. An approximate idea of the depth of material eroded from a given area may be obtained by density or porosity studies.