Rocks Rock!

Sedimentary
Rock Formation
For thousands, even
millions of years, little
pieces of our earth have
been weathered and eroded
(broken down and worn
away) by wind and water.
These sediments are often
washed into rivers, lakes,
and oceans, where they are
deposited (dropped) on the
bottom. Layer after layer of
sediment is deposited.
Eventually these layers
turn into Sedimentary Rock.

What is Compaction/Cementation?
Compaction = SQUEEZED TOGETHER
Compaction is caused by the weight of overlying material.
Compaction forces the grains closer together, reducing pore space and
eliminating some of the contained water. Some of this water has
minerals dissolved in it and when those minerals precipitate out in the
pore spaces, they cause CEMENTATION, which binds/glues the
individual particles together.
Cementation = GLUED TOGETHER

3 Types of Sedimentary Rock

Classified by HOW THEY FORM and their COMPOSITION

Clastic: When individual

rock/mineral fragments stick
together (Shale, Sandstone)
Can usually SEE individual
clasts

Chemical: When minerals

crystallize out of a solution
(Gypsum, Rock Salt, Limestone)
Cannot see individual clasts
looks more like one solid mineral

Organic: Form from the

remains of living organisms
(Limestone, Coal)

Clastic Sedimentary Rocks

Made up of fragments
of rocks (sediments)
that are carried away
from their source and
deposited somewhere
else.eventually
theyre compacted and
cemented into rock
Clasts can be sand, silt,
gravel, mineral crystals,
etc

Chemical
Sedimentary
Rocks

Precipitate out of solution,

by EVAPORATION.
Are often made of only one
mineral
EXAMPLES: Rock Salt and
Gypsum (both evaporites)

Another Example: Chemical LIMESTONE

Limestone contains Calcite CaCO3 which can be identified using
an acid. If Calcite is present, the rock will fizz (due to a chemical
reaction)

Organic Sedimentary Rocks

Form from the remains of living things (contain CARBON)
Can SOMETIMES see evidence of life, but not always

COAL:
Forms from
the remains of
plant matter

LIMESTONE:
Forms from the skeletal
remains of marine
organisms (shells)

Examples of Sedimentary Rock

Conglomerate

Quartz Sandstone

Breccia

Chalk

Coquina

Oolitic Limestone

Stratification
STRATA = LAYERS
Most
noticeable
feature of
Sedimentary
Rock
formations

 Cross-bedding
results from
transport by
WIND or
WATER

 Fossils Can
indicate the type
of environment
that existed when
the rock formed

Other Sedimentary
Features to Look For

Ripple Marks
Indicate former
presence of
WATER

Features of Sedimentary Rocks:

Mud Cracks
These little pillars are a
result of sediments filling
in the cracks in dried
mud and turning to rock