Clastic Sedimentary Rocks

Sunday, March 22, 2020


Sedimentary rocks are derived from igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
Sedimentary rocks make up around 75 percent of the rocks at the earth's surface.
Let’s take a look at how clastic sedimentary rocks form. Clastic sedimentary rocks are the group of rocks most people think of when they think of sedimentary rocks. Clastic sedimentary rocks are made up of pieces of pre-existing rocks called clasts.

These sedimentary rocks follow WEDCC in order to form.

Weathering

Erosion

Deposition

Compaction

Cementation

Weathering occurs when preexisting rocks are broken down. This may occur by freezing and thawing of water inside cracks in a rock, trees and other plant roots growing into cracks, and blowing winds that create the friction that breaks down the rock.

Erosion occurs when these clasts of rocks created during weathering are transported by wind water or even gravity to a new location.

Deposition is when the particles are deposited as loose sediment. Usually near a body of water.

Compaction occurs as layers of deposition build on top of one another and begins to squeeze closer together.

Cementation occurs eventually the minerals in the water will act like glue and cement together.
The end result is a sedimentary rock.

This process of loose sediment hardening into a rock is collectively called Lithification. It includes compaction and cementation.




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