In strain analysis of deformed conglomerates (e.g. the Rf/phi method), the final ellipsoidal shapes and varying axial ratios of pebbles typically reflect a combination of the pebbles' original (pre-deformation) shape variability and the superimposed tectonic strain. If the final population shows a wide range of axial ratios, this is generally attributed to the original sedimentary population itself having contained a range of shapes.
In an undeformed sedimentary conglomerate, pebbles naturally come in a variety of original shapes — some are close to spherical, others are naturally elongated or...
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