Cross-bedded sand layers. Geology hammer (lower centre) used for scale against a cross-section through cross-bedded sand layers. Cross-bedding is wher

---

Cross-bedded sand layers. Geology hammer (lower centre) used for scale against a cross-section through cross-bedded sand layers. Cross-bedding is where layers of a deposited sediment are tilted compared to the normal horizontal deposition. This is seen here across top (tilted right to left) and centre (tilted left to right). The tilting is evidence that the sand was deposited in a particular way, in this case by deposition in shallow water, with changing flow directions, like a riverbed or the seashore. On a larger scale, such cross-bedding indicates wind-blown deposits.

---

Size: 5056px × 3542px
Photo credit: © DIRK WIERSMA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: bedding, cliff, cross, cross-bedding, cross-section, deposited, deposition, earth, equipment, flow, geological, geology, geomorphology, hammer, layer, layers, nature, quarry, river, rock, sand, sandpit, scale, science, sea, section, sediment, sedimentary, shallow, size, strata, stratum, tilted, tilting, water