Geology Chapter 3 - Sedimentary Rocks Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is lithification?

When sediment carried by water, winds or ice settles and becomes a sedimentary rock.

Name three important things about sedimentary rock.

1 - Economically important (This is where coal, natural gas, oil and useful minerals are found.) 2 - Sedimentary rocks contain fossils to study the past. 3 - Scientists study the rock layers (strata), which hold clues to past surface environments.

How are detrital sedimentary rocks classified?

Detrital sedimentary rocks are classified by their dominant particle size: coarse, medium, fine, or very fine.

What are the five category rock names of detrital sedimentary rocks?

<ol> <li>Conglomerate (rounded) 2. Breccia (angular) 3. Sandstone 4. Siltstone 5. Shale</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What are the common minerals found in detrital sedimentary rocks?

Clay minerals and quartz. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a detrital sedimentary rock and a chemical sedimentary rock?

Detritus forms detrital sedimentary rocks, while chemical sediments come from material in water that forms chemical sedimentary rocks. Signup and view all the answers

What do rock salt and gypsum have in common?

Both of these minerals precipitate from water as a chemical sediment and are used commercially. Signup and view all the answers

What is coal made of?

Coal is made mostly of organic matter, the burial of large amounts of plant material over extended periods. Signup and view all the answers

What is compaction?

The weight of overlying material on sediment compresses the deeper sediments, reducing pore space. Signup and view all the answers

Compaction is the most important in the formation of what rock?

Shale (fine-grained sedimentary rock). Signup and view all the answers

What is cementation?

Cementation happens when materials are carried by water and percolate through the pore spaces between particles, filling open spaces and joining particles. Signup and view all the answers

What do fossiliferous limestone and coal have in common?

They are both biochemical sedimentary rocks that contain organic plant material or organisms. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lithification

Lithification is the process by which sediment settles and transforms into sedimentary rock through natural forces such as water, wind, or ice.

Importance of Sedimentary Rocks

Economically significant as they contain resources like coal, natural gas, oil, and various minerals.
Preserve fossils that provide insights into ancient life and environments.
Rock layers (strata) contain evidence of historical surface conditions.

Classification of Detrital Sedimentary Rocks

Detrital sedimentary rocks are categorized based on particle size: coarse, medium, fine, or very fine.

Categories of Detrital Sedimentary Rocks

Conglomerate: composed of rounded particles.
Breccia: made up of angular fragments.
Sandstone: contains sand-sized particles.
Siltstone: consists of silt-sized particles.
Shale: composed of clay-sized particles.

Common Minerals in Detrital Sedimentary Rocks

Predominantly consist of clay minerals and quartz.

Difference Between Rock Types

Detrital sedimentary rocks originate from solid particles of weathered rocks, while chemical sedimentary rocks form from dissolved materials precipitating from water bodies.

Rock Salt and Gypsum

Both are chemical sediments that precipitate from water and have commercial uses.

Formation of Coal

Coal is primarily organic in origin, formed from the burial and transformation of significant plant material over time.

Compaction Process

Compaction occurs when the weight of overlying materials compresses deeper sediments, reducing pore space between the grains.

Importance of Compaction in Rock Formation

Compaction plays a critical role in the formation of shale, a fine-grained sedimentary rock.

Cementation Process

Cementation involves minerals carried by water filling the spaces between sediment particles, effectively binding them together.

Commonality of Fossiliferous Limestone and Coal

Both are classified as biochemical sedimentary rocks, containing organic materials or organisms, indicating a biological origin.

Description

Test your knowledge on sedimentary rocks with these flashcards. Learn about key concepts such as lithification, the economic importance of these rocks, and their role in studying fossils and geological history. Perfect for geology students and enthusiasts!