sedimentary rocks
Deposited mineral formations
Sedimentary rocks form when particles of sand, mud, minerals, or organic material settle in layers and compress over time.
They typically develop underwater—in oceans, lakes, or riverbeds—as sediment accumulates and hardens.
Sandstone, limestone, and shale are common examples.
Sedimentary rocks often contain fossils, since dead organisms become buried in the accumulating layers.
Most of Earth's surface rock is sedimentary.
Cemented grain sediment
- shaleCompacted clay sediment
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
- mudstoneCompacted clay and silt rock
- siltstoneConsolidated silt deposit
conglomerate · breccia · chalk · dolomite · marl · claystone · chert · flint
Materials covering a mattress
- strataParallel geological layers
- layersStacked levels or coatings
- laminationBonding sheets together
- cross-beddingAngled layers within strata
superposition · horizontality · sequence · unconformity · disconformity · correlation · outcrop
Waterborne earth particles
- sandFine rock particles
- clayMoldable earth for ceramics
- gravelLoose small rock fragments
- alluviumWater-deposited loose sediment
detritus · fluvial · deltaic · marine · aeolian · glacial · outwash · sorting
Reducing volume through pressure
- cementationMineral-binding of particles
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
- accumulationCollected mass over time
- burialPlacing deceased underground
pressure · consolidation · induration · basin · subsidence · uplift · precipitation · evaporation
Study of ancient organisms
- trilobiteExtinct segmented marine arthropod
- ammoniteExtinct spiral-shelled cephalopod
- fossilizationOrganic remains becoming mineral
- petrificationBecoming rock-like
mold · cast · carbonization · microfossil · fossil record · preservation · coprolite · amber
Atmospheric breakdown of materials
- abrasionShallow surface wound
- denudationRemoval of surface covering
- runoffExcess water drainage
- gullyingForming erosion channels
deflation · soil erosion · provenance · chemical weathering · transport · entrainment
sandstone
Cemented grain sediment
siltstone · conglomerate · breccia · chalk · dolomite · marl · claystone · chert · flint · gypsum
bedding
Materials covering a mattress
- strataParallel geological layers
- layersStacked levels or coatings
- laminationBonding sheets together
cross-bedding · superposition · horizontality · sequence · unconformity · disconformity · correlation · outcrop
silt
Waterborne earth particles
alluvium · detritus · fluvial · deltaic · marine · aeolian · glacial · outwash · sorting · rounding
compaction
Reducing volume through pressure
- cementationMineral-binding of particles
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
- accumulationCollected mass over time
burial · pressure · consolidation · induration · basin · subsidence · uplift · precipitation · evaporation · crystallization
paleontology
Study of ancient organisms
- trilobiteExtinct segmented marine arthropod
- ammoniteExtinct spiral-shelled cephalopod
- fossilizationOrganic remains becoming mineral
petrification · mold · cast · carbonization · microfossil · fossil record · preservation · coprolite · amber
weathering
Atmospheric breakdown of materials
- abrasionShallow surface wound
- denudationRemoval of surface covering
- runoffExcess water drainage
gullying · deflation · soil erosion · provenance · chemical weathering · transport · entrainment
- earth scienceatmosphere, earthquake, geology, volcano, crust
- geologybedrock, fault lines, faults, basalt, metamorphic rocks
- rocksbasalt, granite, sandstone, marble, shale
- American geologyGrand Canyon, Yellowstone, Rocky Mountains, Appalachians, Sierra Nevada
- desert geologyslot canyon, slot canyons, dunes, ergs, mesa
- Earth's crustgranite, basalt, continental crust, oceanic crust, lithosphere
sedimentary rocksigneous rocks
Stone from cooled magma
volcanic rocks · metamorphic rocks · molten rock · lava · basalt
rock, sediment, sediments, sedimentary, sedimentation, depositary, sedimentary layers, sedimentary layer