Sedimentary Rocks

S6E5. Students will investigate the scientific view of how the earths surface is formed. c. Classify rocks by their process of formation. Enduring Understanding: Rocks are grouped based on how they formed and their mineral composition.

Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary rocks are layers of sediment cemented together. The sedimentary process begins with igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks weathered which is the breaking down of rocks followed by erosion the movement from the Earth's surface by natural processes such as wind or water flow, through the act of transportation. The transfer of sediments (soil particles) from one place to another followed by deposition the layering after layering of the sediment. Then Compaction occurs after the sediments have been deposited. Cementation the final process acts as glue or cement to bind the sediments together forming sedimentary rocks.
http://www.fi.edu/fellows/payton/rocks/create/sedi ment.htm

Sedimentary Rock

Sedimentary Rocks are formed at or near the Earths surface No heat and pressure involved Strata layers of rock Stratification the process in which sedimentary rocks are arranged in layers

Origin
Comprise

75% of the Earths surface Formed when sediments become compacted and cemented together Usually has layers called strata
The highest layer has the least pressure.

The lowest layer has the most pressure.

 What

does compaction mean?

Compaction

Layer upon layer of sediment builds up and the pressure from the upper layers pushes down on the lower layers. Only SMALL sediments will stick together to form rock

Cementation
What

does it mean?

Water soaks through soil and rock. The water dissolves minerals in soil and rock. The solution of minerals and water moves between the sediments. The sediments stick together when the minerals crystallize. Common with LARGE sediments

Classification

Sedimentary rocks are classified in 3 ways (formed)

1. Clastic Sedimentary Rocks 2. Chemical Sedimentary Rocks 3. Organic Sedimentary Rocks

WHAT?

Its by the way they are formed!!!

1. Clastic Sedimentary Rock

Made

from broken fragments of other rocks.

Conglomerate = large/round fragments Breccia = large/sharp fragments

Breccia

Conglomerate

Sedimentary Rock
Clastic made of fragments of rock cemented together with calcite or quartz
Breccia is a term most often used for clastic sedimentary rocks that are composed of large angular fragments (over two millimeters in diameter). The spaces between the large angular fragments can be filled with a matrix of smaller particles or a

2. Chemical Sedimentary Rock

Formed

from minerals crystallizing out of a solution The solution is made of minerals and water.

Halite (Rock Salt)

Sedimentary Rock
Chemical sedimentary minerals crystallize out of solution to become rock
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed primarily of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the form of the mineral calcite. It most commonly forms in clear, warm, shallow marine waters. It is usually an organic sedimentary rock that forms from the accumulation of shell,

3. Organic Sedimentary Rock

Rocks

formed from once-living (organic!) things.

Organic Limestone

Ocean animals called coral create huge deposits of limestone. As they die, their skeletons collect on the ocean floor.

Sedimentary Rock
Organic sedimentary remains of plants and animals
Coal is an organic sedimentary rock that forms from the accumulation and preservation of plant materials, usually in a swamp environment. Coal is a combustible rock and along with oil and natural gas it is one of the three most important fossil fuels.

Stratification
The

process in which sedimentary rocks are arranged in layers.