sedimentary
Formed by settling
Sedimentary describes rock formed from accumulated particles that settle and compress over time.
Sandstone, limestone, and shale are sedimentary rocks, distinguished from igneous rock (formed from molten material) and metamorphic rock (transformed by heat and pressure).
The term extends to any process involving sediment: sedimentary deposits along the riverbed.
Cemented grain sediment
- shaleCompacted clay sediment
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
- conglomerateCorporation spanning many industries
- brecciaCemented angular rock fragments
chalk · siltstone · mudstone · claystone · dolomite · gypsum · halite · flint
Parallel geological layers
- beddingMaterials covering a mattress
- laminationBonding sheets together
- cross-beddingAngled layers within strata
- unconformityGap in rock sequence
overburden · sequence · beds · formations · horizons · facies · stratification · superposition
Reducing volume through pressure
- cementationMineral-binding of particles
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
- accumulationCollected mass over time
- consolidationCombining into unified whole
precipitation · crystallization · burial · subsidence · basin · deltaic · fluvial · marine
Made of rock fragments
- siltWaterborne earth particles
- clayMoldable earth for ceramics
- sandFine rock particles
- gravelLoose small rock fragments
pebble · cobble · boulder · detrital · biogenic · carbonate · siliceous · sorting
Atmospheric breakdown of materials
- erosionGradual wearing away
- denudationRemoval of surface covering
- abrasionShallow surface wound
- transportMoving things between places
runoff · siltation · gullying · scour · deposition · provenance · alluvium · outwash
Study of ancient organisms
- fossilizationOrganic remains becoming mineral
- petrifiedSolidified or fear-paralyzed
- ammoniteExtinct spiral-shelled cephalopod
- trilobiteExtinct segmented marine arthropod
coprolite · preservation · imprint · mold · cast · carbonization · amber
Statistical relationship measure
- geochronologyStudy of geological ages
- superpositionCoexisting in multiple states
- formationCreation or arrangement
- memberOne who belongs
sandstone
Cemented grain sediment
- shaleCompacted clay sediment
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
- conglomerateCorporation spanning many industries
breccia · chalk · siltstone · mudstone · claystone · dolomite · gypsum · halite · flint · chert
strata
Parallel geological layers
- beddingMaterials covering a mattress
- laminationBonding sheets together
- cross-beddingAngled layers within strata
unconformity · overburden · sequence · beds · formations · horizons · facies · stratification · superposition
compaction
Reducing volume through pressure
- cementationMineral-binding of particles
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
- accumulationCollected mass over time
consolidation · precipitation · crystallization · burial · subsidence · basin · deltaic · fluvial · marine · alluvial
clastic
Made of rock fragments
gravel · pebble · cobble · boulder · detrital · biogenic · carbonate · siliceous · sorting · matrix
weathering
Atmospheric breakdown of materials
- erosionGradual wearing away
- denudationRemoval of surface covering
- abrasionShallow surface wound
transport · runoff · siltation · gullying · scour · deposition · provenance · alluvium · outwash · loess
paleontology
Study of ancient organisms
- fossilizationOrganic remains becoming mineral
- petrifiedSolidified or fear-paralyzed
- ammoniteExtinct spiral-shelled cephalopod
trilobite · coprolite · preservation · imprint · mold · cast · carbonization · amber
correlation
Statistical relationship measure
- geochronologyStudy of geological ages
- superpositionCoexisting in multiple states
- formationCreation or arrangement
- geologybedrock, fault lines, faults, rock, basalt
- geologicaligneous, metamorphic, volcanic, tectonic, seismic
- rock featurescliff, cliff face, rock face, crag, overhang
- mineralsquartz, marble, granite, limestone, sandstone
- rocksbasalt, granite, sandstone, marble, shale
- stone-relatedgranite, marble, slate, limestone, boulder
sedimentaryigneous
Formed from cooled magma
volcanic · metamorphic · plutonic · magmatic · crystalline
sedimentaryclear
Without obstruction or fog
limpid · transparent · crystalline · suspended · pellucid
- sedimentary rockLayered geological formation
- sedimentary layersAccumulated geological deposits