szemcsegrádiens

Szemcsegrádiens is a Hungarian term that translates to "grain gradient" in English. It refers to a phenomenon observed in the field of geology, specifically in sedimentary rocks. A grain gradient describes a gradual change in the size of sediment particles within a rock layer. This change can be either an increase or decrease in grain size over a certain distance.

This gradual variation in particle size is often a result of depositional processes. For example, in a river system, as water velocity decreases, larger sediment particles are dropped first, while smaller particles are carried further downstream. When these sediments are eventually lithified into rock, a grain gradient will be visible. Similarly, in marine environments, changes in wave energy or current strength can lead to the formation of grain gradients.

Geologists use the observation of grain gradients to infer the depositional environment and the processes that were active during the formation of the rock. A normal grain size distribution, where finer particles are found further from the source, is a common indicator. Inverse grain size distributions, where coarser particles are found further from the source, can indicate more complex depositional events such as turbidity currents. Analyzing the direction and magnitude of the grain gradient can provide valuable clues about the energy levels of the transporting medium and the distance from the sediment source.