Changes

After all observations are made, a mudstone may be described, for instance, as a “gray, moderately bioturbated, discontinuous wavy-nonparallel-laminated, calcareous medium mudstone with abundant foraminifera and sparse pyrite nodules.” The same rock can be also referred to using a shortened, readily usable phrase such as a “bioturbated, calcareous medium mudstone.” We recommend the use of such phrases only after the variability in the studied mudstone succession has been fully characterized.

After all observations are made, a mudstone may be described, for instance, as a “gray, moderately bioturbated, discontinuous wavy-nonparallel-laminated, calcareous medium mudstone with abundant foraminifera and sparse pyrite nodules.” The same rock can be also referred to using a shortened, readily usable phrase such as a “bioturbated, calcareous medium mudstone.” We recommend the use of such phrases only after the variability in the studied mudstone succession has been fully characterized.

Mudstone descriptions that reflect the inherent variability of grain origin and size, as well as bedding and compositional attributes, have predictive value. Primary rock attributes can be described directly by integrating careful observations of outcrops and cores and be supplemented with information from thin sections. We use the guidelines that are recommended here to describe and capture mudstone variability and then make interpretations about processes and paleoenvironments. Lazar et al.<ref name=Lzrea2022a /> introduces a series of tools and techniques, as well as the integrated workflow that has proved most useful to us at millimeter to kilometer scales.

Mudstone descriptions that reflect the inherent variability of grain origin and size, as well as bedding and compositional attributes, have predictive value. Primary rock attributes can be described directly by integrating careful observations of outcrops and cores and be supplemented with information from thin sections. We use the guidelines that are recommended here to describe and capture mudstone variability and then make interpretations about processes and paleoenvironments. Lazar et al.<ref name=Lzrea2022a /> introduces a series of [[Tools and techniques for studying mudstones|tools and techniques]], as well as the integrated workflow that has proved most useful to us at millimeter to kilometer scales.

  “When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.”

  “When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.”