Depositional structures in gravels, conglomerates and breccias

The general name for sediments containing a significant proportion of granule grade or coarser material is rudites. Studies of the depositional processes and structures of rudites are limited because the entrainment, transport and deposition of such sediments occur in high-energy environments where flow conditions make direct observations difficult. Direct-recording instruments, including the human body, tend to be severely damaged by the motion of large clasts and the situations in which they may be deployed for successful data collection are limited. However, as our knowledge of processes becomes more refined, so the features to be observed, measured and recorded become clearer.