Abstract: Publisher SummaryThe purpose of this chapter is to survey the present state of knowledge of some of the sedimentary features of flysch and greywackes. The chapter also shows how sedimentological investigations and the turbidity-current hypothesis have extended and clarified interpretation of palaeogeographical conditions. The term “flysch” was introduced by Studer to indicate a series of muddy sandstones and shales (Upper Cretaceous) in the Siemmenthal region of Switzerland. The original “definition” of flysch was in purely lithological terms and devoid of any stratigraphical or tectonic implications. All major geosynclinal zones contain a characteristic sequence of clastic rocks which, in the Alpine belts of Europe, is called “flysch”. Outside these belts, particularly in many of the Palaeozoic geosynclines, sediments equivalent to flysch are found among the “greywacke sequences”, though the name flysch is not commonly used. The terms “flysch” and “greywacke” are not synonomous. The first has a distinct connotation of facies, while the second has come to imply a certain type of sandstone. In contrast, the term “grauwacke” or “greywacke”, after coming into use in the Harz area of Germany in the 18th Century, has had a somewhat similar history to that of flysch in that various connotations have been attached to it with similar confusion. It is apparent that very many greywackes occur in flysch-like sequences and are very similar to flysch sandstones.
Publication Year: 1965
Publication Date: 1965-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 4
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