Earth Science Chapter 4 Lesson 3

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz

Study Flashcards

Spaced Repetition

Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes the process of compaction in sedimentary rock formation?

The movement of sediment by rivers.
The dissolving of rocks by wind.
The crystallization of minerals from water.
The weight of sediment layers forcing out fluids and reducing space between grains. (correct)

Fossils are commonly found in igneous rocks.

False (B)

What are the broken pieces and fragments that make up clastic rocks called?

clasts

__________ rocks are formed when minerals crystallize directly from water.

<p>chemical</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the sedimentary rock type with its formation process:

<p>Clastic rock = Formed from broken fragments of other rocks Chemical rock = Formed from minerals crystallizing from water Biochemical rock = Formed by organisms or contains their remains</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Weathering

The process of rocks breaking down into smaller pieces due to forces like wind, water, and ice.

Erosion

The movement of weathered rock fragments from one place to another.

Deposition

The process where sediment settles and accumulates in a new location.

Compaction

The transformation of loose sediment into solid rock, where the weight of overlying layers presses out water and air.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Cementation

The process where dissolved minerals crystallize between sediment grains, essentially gluing the grains together.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Sedimentary Rock

Wind, water, ice, sunlight, and gravity cause rock to weather into fragments.

Sedimentary Rock Cycle

Pre-existing rock weathers into sediment.
Sediment is eroded.
Sediment is deposited.
Sediment is compacted.
Sediment is cemented.
Sediment becomes sedimentary rock.

Compaction

The weight from layers of sediment forces out fluids and decreases the space between sediment grains.

Cementation

Minerals dissolved in water crystallize between sediment grains.

Types of Sedimentary Rocks

Clastic rocks: Composed of broken pieces of minerals or rock fragments.
- Clasts are broken pieces and fragments.
- Examples: conglomerate and breccia
Chemical rocks: Minerals crystallize directly from water.
- Examples: halite and gypsum
Biochemical rocks: Contain remains of organisms or were formed by organisms
- Examples: fossiliferous limestone (formed from cemented animal remains)
- Fossils are remains or traces of plants and animals preserved in sedimentary rock.