SEDIMENTARY
ROCKS
INTRODUCTION
Sedimentary Rocks are formed by the deposition and
consolidation of ‘new sediments’, in layers over the pre-existing
rocks. The new sediments are, in fact, eroded away from some
old rocks by weathering, and are then transported by agents like
wind, water, ice, etc. These eroded sediments, after travelling
some distance, may get deposited over some existing rocks,
which on consolidation, will result in the formation of what are
known as sedimentary rocks. These are generally found to occur
at or near the surface of the Earth.
FORMATION
The sedimentary rocks are formed in the following 4 stages:
Weathering
Transportation of the eroded materials
Deposition of these materials, and
Consolidation and rock formation, a process called
LITHIFICATION.
CLASSIFICATION
Sedimentary rocks are classified into categories based on:
Transportation of sediments
• Marine (sea deposited)
• Lacustrine (lake deposited)
• Glacial (glacial deposited)
• Eolian (wind deposited)
• Fluvial (river deposited)
Composition
• Limestone
• Chert
• Quartz
• Sandstone
Mode of origin
• Clastic: Derived from fragments or individual minerals of other rocks.
• Chemical: Derived from weathered materials which travel in soln. and
ultimately get precipitated.
• Organic: Derived from the biological activities of various organisms
living in water bodies.
TEXTURES
STRUCTURES
Structures of sedimentary rocks can be classified into:
Mechanical Structures
• Stratification or Bedding
• Lamination and Cross lamination
• Ripple marks
• Rain marks
• Joints and Cracks
Chemical Structures
• Concretionary
• O-olitic and Pisolitic
• Geode
Organic Structures
Mechanical Structures
• Stratification or Bedding: Arrangement of rocks in layers or
strata, which are horizontal at the time of formation, but may
get displaced or folded, due to Earth movements, through angles
upto 90 degrees, with the passage of time.
They are of different types:
i. Horizontal
ii. Monocline
iii. Anticline
iv. Syncline
• Lamination and Cross lamination: When the thickness of a bed
is very small, i.e., less than 1cm, it is called lamina.
Lamination is the normal bedding of deposition where as Cross
lamination is cross bedding or false bedding of deposit.
• Ripple marks: Symmetrical or Unsymmetrical undulations that may be seen
on some sedimentary deposits which are caused by winds or waves, during
the deposition of sediments in a shallow water environment.
• Rain marks: Marks left by the falling rains on the loose sediments.
• Joints and Cracks: In unconsolidated or partially consolidated deposits, joints
often develop because of shrinkage due to water loss, compaction and
settlement, or some other causes.
CHEMICAL STRUCTURES
• Concretionary: Rounded bodies with irregular shape are found
embedded in the main rock mass.
• Oolitic and Pisolitic: Rocks made up of small spherical or
rounded grains (.1-1mm in size), resembling insect eggs. These
particles are called oolitics. When these are coarser in texture,
i.e. more than 1mm in size, it is then called pisolitic structure.
• Geode: Represented by the presence of hollow shell, which is
made up of one mineral, and contains lining of projecting
crystals of another mineral inside the shell.
ORGANIC STRUCTURES
• Fossils: It is the remains of animals and plants
being preserved in the rocks. They include all
types of impressions, bones, shells, skeletons,
etc.
CONGLOMERATE
Conglomerate is a clastic sedimentary rock
that contains large (> 2 mm in diameter)
rounded particles. The space between the
pebbles is generally filled with smaller
particles and/or a chemical cement that
binds the rock together.
DOLOMITE
Dolomite (also known as "dolostone"
and "dolomite rock") is a chemical
sedimentary rock that is very similar
to limestone. It is thought to form when
limestone or lime mud is modified by
magnesium-rich ground water.
LIMESTONE
Limestone is a rock that is composed primarily
of calcium carbonate. It can form organically
from the accumulation of shell, coral, algal,
and fecal debris. It can also form chemically
from the precipitation of calcium carbonate
from lake or ocean water. Limestone is used in
many ways. Some of the most common are:
production of cement, crushed stone, and acid
neutralization.
SANDSTONE
Sandstone is a clastic sedimentary
rock made up mainly of sand-size
(1/16 to 2 mm diameter) weathering
debris. Environments where large
amounts of sand can accumulate
include beaches, deserts, flood plains,
and deltas.