1. CHAPTER 6
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS

2. Materials that make up sediments
Weathered Rocks
Organic Material
Mineral Fragments

3. Ways sedimentary rocks can form
Compaction and cementation of sediments
Evaporation of a solution
Precipitate from a solution

4. Kinds of sedimentary rocks
1) Clastic/Detrital
Composed of fragments and small pieces of rock (clasts)
sometimes show layering
Make up more than 85% of all sedimentary rocks
Ex) sandstone, siltstone, shale

5. Fragments Round Fragments = CONGLOMERATE Angular Fragments = BRECCIA
(pronounced Brechia)
(“cc” is “ch” like Gucci)

6. Types of Clasts
The formation of clastic rocks begins with the movement and relocation of fragments.
The majority of these are moved by running water.
Larger pebbles and gravels are often the first to be dropped and settle in shallow water near the shore.
Next to settle are the smaller sands.
Finally, in calm water, the silts and clays.

7. Formation of Clastic Rocks
Loose sediments become solid rock when sediments become cemented.
Ocean water, lake water, and ground water all contain natural cements in the form of dissolved mineral.
Silica (SiO2), calcite (CaCO3), iron oxide (Fe2O3), and clay minerals.
When minerals fill in the spaces between sand grains, pebbles, or other rock particles, they bind the fragments together through cementation.
The type of cement influences the rock’s color.

8. 2) Organic
Contains the cemented (lithified) remains of once living things
Sometimes contain fossils
Ex) coal

9. 3) Chemical Form by precipitation or evaporation of a solution
Often contain crystals or appear “dried up”
Ex) rock salt

10. 4) Bioclastic
Composed of broken shell fragments and similar remains of living organisms
Ex) limestone

11. Features of Sedimentary Rocks
Stratification
The arrangement of visible layers.
The most characteristic feature of sedimentary rocks.
Results from the change in the type of sediment being laid down in one place.
Fossils
The remains, impression, or any other evidence of a plant or animal preserved in rock.
Occurs when a dead organism is buried by sediment that gradually turns into rock.
The soft parts of the organism decay; the hard parts become rock.

12. Stratification and Fossils

13. Features of Sedimentary Rocks
Ripple Marks
Common feature of sedimentary rocks.
Sand patterns formed by the action of winds, streams, waves, or currents.
Ripple marks are generally preserved in sandstone.
Mud Cracks
Develop when deposits of wet clay dry and contract.
The cracks are filled in with different solutions and fossilize.
Generally form in shale.

14. Ripple Marks and Mud Cracks

15. Features of Sedimentary Rocks
Nodules
Hard lumps of fine-grained silica
Found in limestone and chalk.
Concretions
Round solid masses of calcium carbonate.
Found in shale.
Both Nodules and Concretions form when minerals in a solution precipitate around a fragment in the clay sediment.

16. Nodules and Concretions

17. Geodes Spheres of silica rock. Generally found in limestones.
Groundwater creates cavities in limestone and minerals in the groundwater concentrates in the cavities to form crystals.