Sedimentary Rocks 3.3

Erosion• The incorporation and transportation of

material by a mobile agent, such as water, wind, or ice.

Deposition • The process by which an agent of erosion

loses energy and drops the sediment it is carrying; also the process by which water vapor is changed directly to a solid without passing through the liquid state.

Compaction• Process by which sediments are

squeezed together by the weight of overlying materials driving out water.

Cementation• Solidification of sediments by the

deposition of dissolved minerals in the tiny spaces between the sedimentary particles.

Clastic Sedimentary Rock• A sedimentary rock made of broken

fragments of preexisting rock.

Chemical Sedimentary Rock• Sedimentary rock consisting of material

that was precipitated from water by either inorganic or organic means.

Key Concept

• Describe the major processes involved in the formation of sedimentary rocks.–Erosion involves weathering and the

removal of rock. When an agent of erosion-water, wind, ice, or gravity-loses energy, it drops the sediments.

Key Concept

• What are clastic sedimentary rocks?–A sedimentary rock made of broken

fragments of preexisting rock.

Key Concept

• What are chemical sedimentary rocks?–Sedimentary rock consisting of

material that was precipitated from water by either inorganic or organic means.

Key Concept

• What features are unique to some sedimentary rocks?–The many unique features of

sedimentary rocks are clues to how, when, and where the rocks formed.