Sedimentary rocks are, as the name suggests, formed from the buildup of sediment. This means they form over time on the surface of the Earth, unlike other types of rock, such as igneous or metamorphic, which are created deep within the Earth under great pressure or heat.
Sedimentary rocks are mainly caused by gradual but constant natural changes in the environment. The main contributors to sedimentary rock formation are erosion, precipitation, or natural weathering; as well as lithification and dissolution. These environmental phenomena slowly eat away at dirt or rock surfaces, or wash sediments together which eventually build up into rock formations. Some of the more common types of sedimentary rock include sandstone, shale, limestone and coal. In all cases, debris, organic material, or minerals slowly form into what are typically soft, dry and porous rock types.
Explanation:
There are two types of sedimentary rocks, referred to as either detritus or chemical.
Detritus sedimentary rocks are formed when rock fragments, debris or sediments accumulate over time and can be either organic or inorganic in makeup. These detrital rocks come together under great pressure, usually over many years. The debris, or matter that form the rocks, can be either organic or inorganic.
A chunk of coal. Image credit: Siberia Photo and video/Shutterstock.com
Organic matter would consist of dead and decaying vegetation or animal matter. Once under great pressure, this material then compresses gradually until it becomes rock. The primary example of this process is coal, which is formed under great pressure over long periods of time.
Sandstone rock in the Lower Antelope Canyon in the Navajo Reservation near Page, Arizona USA. Image credit: Vichie81/Shutterstock.com
Inorganic detritus rocks, conversely, are made up of non living things. These rocks, classified as ‘clastic’, form when other rock particles or minerals accumulate and are compacted over the duration of many years. Sandstone is the most well known example of this process, as it is rock formed from the compression of sand.
Chemical Rocks
Chemical rocks are formed from the accumulation of certain chemicals – usually calcium – in a given place over time. One of the prime examples of this is limestone, which forms where calcium carbonate precipitates and collects on the bottom of the sea. Similarly, many caves are populated by chemical rock such as stalagmites and stalactites, which are made from calcium and carbonate deposits.
Answers & Comments
Answer:
Sedimentary Rocks generally formed from the compaction and cementation of sediments or formed in lithification
Answer:
Sedimentary rocks are, as the name suggests, formed from the buildup of sediment. This means they form over time on the surface of the Earth, unlike other types of rock, such as igneous or metamorphic, which are created deep within the Earth under great pressure or heat.
Sedimentary rocks are mainly caused by gradual but constant natural changes in the environment. The main contributors to sedimentary rock formation are erosion, precipitation, or natural weathering; as well as lithification and dissolution. These environmental phenomena slowly eat away at dirt or rock surfaces, or wash sediments together which eventually build up into rock formations. Some of the more common types of sedimentary rock include sandstone, shale, limestone and coal. In all cases, debris, organic material, or minerals slowly form into what are typically soft, dry and porous rock types.
Explanation:
There are two types of sedimentary rocks, referred to as either detritus or chemical.
Detritus sedimentary rocks are formed when rock fragments, debris or sediments accumulate over time and can be either organic or inorganic in makeup. These detrital rocks come together under great pressure, usually over many years. The debris, or matter that form the rocks, can be either organic or inorganic.
A chunk of coal. Image credit: Siberia Photo and video/Shutterstock.com
Organic matter would consist of dead and decaying vegetation or animal matter. Once under great pressure, this material then compresses gradually until it becomes rock. The primary example of this process is coal, which is formed under great pressure over long periods of time.
Sandstone rock in the Lower Antelope Canyon in the Navajo Reservation near Page, Arizona USA. Image credit: Vichie81/Shutterstock.com
Inorganic detritus rocks, conversely, are made up of non living things. These rocks, classified as ‘clastic’, form when other rock particles or minerals accumulate and are compacted over the duration of many years. Sandstone is the most well known example of this process, as it is rock formed from the compression of sand.
Chemical Rocks
Chemical rocks are formed from the accumulation of certain chemicals – usually calcium – in a given place over time. One of the prime examples of this is limestone, which forms where calcium carbonate precipitates and collects on the bottom of the sea. Similarly, many caves are populated by chemical rock such as stalagmites and stalactites, which are made from calcium and carbonate deposits.