Weathering Erosion Deposition Compaction Cementation

*LITHIFICATION*

Weathering – the breakdown of material at the Earth’s surface.g

The weathered material is calledSEDIMENT.

Sediment size varies – mud, sand, gravel

Erosion – movement of sediment from on place to another by WIND, WATER, or ICE.

Deposition – dropping off the sediment in a new location.

Sediment gets put together into sedimentary rock through

Compaction (Squeezing)

Cementation (Gluing)

Sand becomes sandstone

Clay and mud become shale

Gravel becomes conglomerate.

Organic sedimentary rock is formed from previously living things.

Limestone – ocean life

Coal – plant life on land

Chemical sedimentary rock is formed from water evaporating and leaving rocks behind.

Mineral crystals left behind in Death Valley after the water evaporates

Playa Lake in California – in the process of evaporating and leaving chemical rock behind

Sedimentary rocks are used in many ways – •Buildings•Making cement•Burning for fuel