Chapter 5

Sedimentation:
Rocks Formed by Surface Processes

About Sedimentation
Sediments are produced on the Earths surface as a result of weathering. Sediments are transported and become sedimentary rocks after they come to rest. Sedimentary rocks give evidence of ancient sedimentary environments where they formed.

magma crystallization melting

weathering and erosion

deformation deposition

The Rock Cycle

Full cycle does not always take place due to "shortcuts" or interruptions
e.g., Sedimentary rock melts e.g., Igneous rock is metamorphosed e.g., Sedimentary rock is weathered e.g., Metamorphic rock weathers

Three Rock Types

Igneous - cools and crystallizes from magma; intrusive and extrusive Sedimentary - deposited at Earths surface by physical, chemical, or biologic agents and then buried Metamorphic - rocks formed by the transformation of preexisting solid rocks due to changes in temperature and pressure

Igneous Rocks in North America

Sedimentary Rocks in North America

Metamorphic Rocks in North America

Sedimentary Rocks
Form from sediment (weathered products) About 75% of all rock outcrops on the continents Used to reconstruct much of Earth's history
Clues to past environments Provide information about sediment transport Rocks often contain fossils

Sedimentary Rocks
Economic importance
Coal Petroleum and natural gas Sources of iron and aluminum

Sedimentary Rock Classification

Two groups based on the source of the material
Detrital rocks or siliclastic Material is solid particles Classified by particle size Common rocks include Shale (most abundant) Sandstone Conglomerate

Sedimentary Rock Classification

Chemical or Biochemical rocks
Derived from material that was once in solution and precipitates to form sediment Directly precipitated as the result of physical processes, or Through life processes (biochemical origin) Common rocks include
Limestone Microcrystalline quartz (chert, flint, etc.) Evaporites (salt, gypsum) Coal

Sedimentary Rock Classification

Detrital Sedimentary Rocks

Chemical Sedimentary Rocks

Lithification
Sedimentary rocks are produced through lithification
Loose sediments are transformed into solid rock Lithification processes
Compaction Cementation by
Calcite Silica Iron Oxide

Sediment Sorting

the sorting of sediments can indicate how far the rock has been transported

 coal is produced by the burial and compaction (lithification) of organic material

different pressure and temperature conditions yield different qualities of coal

Features of Sedimentary Rocks

Strata, or beds (most characteristic) Bedding planes separate strata Fossils
Traces or remains of prehistoric life Are the most important inclusions Help determine past environments Used as time indicators Used for matching rocks from different places