What kinds of deposits indicate the presence of rugged terrain in the vicinity of a nonmarine depositional basin?

Nonmarine depositional basins are locations where sediment is deposited in environments that are not directly influenced by marine processes (i.e., the ocean). These environments can include lakes, rivers, alluvial fans, and floodplains.

Understanding the types of deposits in nonmarine environments is essential to identify specific ones that occur in rugged terrain regions. Examples of common deposits found in nonmarine environments include: 1. Alluvial deposits - These are sedimentary deposits formed by rivers, streams, or flood events carrying sediments from a source region and depositing them elsewhere. 2. Fluvial deposits - These are sedimentary deposits formed in river channels and floodplains, typically consisting of sand, gravel, and mud. 3. Lacustrine deposits - These are sedimentary deposits formed in lake environments, typically consisting of fine-grained clay and silt. 4. Eolian deposits - These are sedimentary deposits formed by wind-related processes, such as sand dunes and loess layers.

The specific deposits that indicate the presence of rugged terrain in a nonmarine depositional basin are: 1. Conglomerates - These are coarse-grained sedimentary rocks composed of a mixture of pebbles, cobbles, and boulders in a finer-grained matrix, typically formed in proximity to mountain ranges. They can be found in alluvial fans and braided river systems, where the rapid flow of water moving through the rugged terrain transports and deposits the large particles. 2. Breccia - This is a clastic sedimentary rock composed of large, angular rock fragments (greater than 2mm in size) cemented together in a fine-grained matrix. The angular nature of the rock fragments indicates that they were not transported far from the source, which suggests the presence of nearby rugged terrain. 3. Debris flow deposits - These are a type of mass wasting deposit consisting of a chaotic mixture of rock fragments, mud, and water, formed when saturated, unconsolidated material on a slope becomes too heavy and flows downhill by gravity. Debris flow deposits indicate a steep and unstable source area, typically associated with rugged terrain. By identifying these deposits, it's possible to infer the presence of rugged terrain in the vicinity of a nonmarine depositional basin.