Erect aerial parts are linked to high-rate sedimentological events including volcaniclastic burial, mudflows, valley infilling, and catastrophic flooding. Burial in vertical orientation may or may not be a valid criterion for identifying autochthonous assemblages. This involves the transport of plant parts away from their site of growth before burial. Transport is facilitated either by wind, water, or a combination. Mass movements in certain environments of deposition may entrain macrodetritus and transport it significant distances.
Burial can occur over geologically instantaneous intervals, or over longer periods of time.
The structural integrity and resistance to degradation of any particular plant part will ultimately determine its residence time and potential for long term burial. This includes compaction, cementation, and recrystallization. Pore-water interactions may be occur early, soon after burial. All rights reserved. No part of these lecture notes may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the author.