Identifying any of these is reasonably straight forward knowing what to measure can be a bit tricky.Īsymmetric current ripple and dune bedforms exposed on bedding planes can be measured by noting the facing direction of lee slopes (face down current – see the image above). It all begins with a humble crossbed, flute cast, or current aligned object. Knowing the direction of sediment transport will help you decipher paleoenvironments and sedimentary facies, paleoslope dip directions, possible sources of sediment, and the location of sediment sinks.

Identifying sedimentary structures that indicate paleocurrent directions is an important task in any study of sedimentary rocks.