Few fields of research in the earth sciences have produced as much data and litera ture as the study of carbonate sediments and rocks. The past 25 years in particular, have seen a significant increase in studies concerning modern marine and fresh water carbonates. With the present worldwide interest in oceanographic research, marine carbonates have received the bulk of the attention, particularly with respect to shallow-water sediments. However, in terms of the variety of environ ments, compositions and modes of formation, non-marine carbonates probably encompass a wider spectrum than do...