SedimentandSedimentaryRocks

FormationandCharacteristics

IntrotoSedimentaryRocks
Producedfromweatheringproductsofpreexistingrocksor
accumulatedbiologicalmatter
Clasticrocksproducedfromrockfragments
Chemicalrocksproducedbyprecipitationofdissolved
ionsinwater
Organicrocksproducedbyaccumulationofbiological
debris,suchasinswampsorbogs
Sedimentaryrocktypesandsedimentarystructureswithinthe
rocksgivecluestopastenvironments
Fossilsinsedimentaryrocksgivecluestothehistoryoflife
Importantresources(coal,oil)arefoundinsedimentaryrocks

Sediment
Sedimentloose,solidparticlesoriginatingfrom:
Weatheringanderosionofpreexistingrocks
Chemicalprecipitationfromsolution,including
secretionbyorganismsinwater

Classifiedbyparticlesize

Boulder>256mm
Cobble64to256mm
Pebble2to64mm
Sand1/16to2mm
Silt1/256to1/16mm
Clay<1/256mm

Gravel

FromSedimentto
SedimentaryRock
Transportation
Movementofsedimentawayfromitssource,typicallyby
water,wind,orice
Roundingofparticlesoccursduetoabrasionduringtransport
Sortingoccursassedimentisseparatedaccordingtograinsize
bytransportagents,especiallyrunningwater
Sedimentsizedecreaseswithincreasedtransportdistance

FromSedimentto
SedimentaryRock
Deposition
Settlingandcomingtorestoftransportedmaterial
Accumulationofchemicalororganicsediments,
typicallyinwater
Environmentofdepositionisthelocationinwhich
depositionoccurs

Deepseafloor
Beach
Desertdunes
Riverchannel
Lakebottom

FromSedimentto
SedimentaryRock
Preservation
Sedimentmustbepreserved,asbyburialwithadditional
sediments,inordertobecomeasedimentaryrock

Lithification
Generaltermforprocessesconvertingloosesedimentinto
sedimentaryrock
Combinationofcompactionandcementation

TypesofSedimentaryRocks
Clasticsedimentaryrocks
Mostcommonsedimentaryrocktype
Formfromcementedsedimentgrains
thatcomefrompreexistingrocks

Chemicalsedimentaryrocks
Havecrystallinetextures
Formbyprecipitationofmineralsfrom
solution

Organicsedimentaryrocks
Accumulatefromremainsoforganisms

ClasticSedimentaryRocks
BrecciaandConglomerate
Coarsegrainedclasticsedimentaryrocks
Sedimentarybrecciacomposedofcoarse,
angularrockfragmentscementedtogether
Conglomeratecomposedofrounded
gravelcementedtogether

Sandstone
Mediumgrainedclasticsedimentaryrock
Typesdeterminedbycomposition
Quartzsandstone>90%quartzgrains
Arkosemostlyfeldsparandquartzgrains
Graywackesandgrainssurroundedby
dark,finegrainedmatrix,oftenclayrich

ClasticSedimentaryRocks
Shale

Finegrainedclasticsedimentaryrock
Splitsintothinlayers(fissile)
Siltandclaysizedgrains
Sedimentdepositedinlakebottoms,river
deltas,floodplains,andondeepoceanfloor

Siltstone
Slightlycoarsergrainedthanshales
Lacksfissility

Claystone
Predominantlyclaysizedgrains;nonfissile

Mudstone
Siltandclaysizedgrains;massive/blocky

ChemicalSedimentaryRocks
Carbonates
ContainCO3aspartoftheirchemicalcomposition
Limestoneiscomposedmainlyofcalcite
Mostarebiochemical,butcanbeinorganic
Oftencontaineasilyrecognizablefossils
ChemicalalterationoflimestoneinMgrichwater
solutionscanproducedolomite

Chert
Hard,compact,finegrained,formedalmost
entirelyofsilica
Canoccuraslayersoraslumpynoduleswithin
othersedimentaryrocks,especiallylimestones

Evaporites
Formfromevaporatingsalinewaters(lake,ocean)
Commonexamplesarerockgypsum,rocksalt

OrganicsinSedimentaryRocks
Coal
Sedimentaryrockformingfromcompaction
ofpartiallydecayedplantmaterial
Organicmaterialdepositedinwaterwithlow
oxygencontent(i.e.,stagnant)

Oilandnaturalgas
Originatefromorganicmatterinmarinesediment
Subsurfacecookingcanchangeorganicsolidsto
oilandnaturalgas
Canaccumulateinporousoverlyingrocks

SedimentaryStructures
Sedimentarystructures
Featureswithinsedimentaryrocksproduced
duringorjustaftersedimentdeposition
Providecluestohowandwheredeposition
ofsedimentsoccurred

Bedding
Seriesofvisiblelayerswithinarock
Mostcommonsedimentarystructure

Crossbedding
Seriesofthin,inclinedlayerswithina
horizontalbedofrock
Commoninsandstones
Indicativeofdepositioninripples,bars,
dunes,deltas

SedimentaryStructures
Ripplemarks
Smallridgesformedonsurfaceof
sedimentlayerbymovingwindorwater

Gradedbedding
Progressivechangeingrainsizefrom
bottomtotopofabed

Mudcracks
Polygonalcracksformedindryingmud

Fossils
Tracesofplantsoranimalspreserved
inrock
Hardparts(shells,bones)moreeasily
preservedasfossils

Summary
Three major types of Sedimentary rocks
Clastic
Most common, defined by texture

Chemical
Have a crystalline structure
Organic
Made from dead stuff