Sedimentary Environment - Marine Environments

Sediments may accumulate and be preserved virtually anywhere in the oceans. Consequently, marine sedimentary environments are numerous and widespread. They also range tremendously in water depth; therefore, depth plays a major role in shaping these environments. For simplicity, marine environments can be divided into two broad groups: shelf and deep oceanic. Shelf environments range in depth from low tide level to depths of 425 ft (130 m), typical for the outer edge of the continental shelf.