SEDIMENTARY
Group Members: ROCKS
Grade 7d
Nathan Chintaram
Stephan Cadogan
Subject:
Shemol Haywood Agricultural
Priyanna Persaud Science
What are Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary rocks are one of the 3 main types of rocks, along with igneous and metamorphic rocks.
How and Where are Sedimentary Rocks formed?
Sedimentary rocks are formed by the consolidation of sediments that settle out of water, ice, or air. Sediments are fragments of
rocks, minerals, organic material, and even chemical precipitates that have been weathered and eroded from pre-existing rocks and
then deposited in different environments, such as rivers, oceans, deserts, and lakes. Sedimentary rocks can be found
on or near the earth’s surface.
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Types of Sedimentary Rocks:
Sedimentary rocks are categorized based on their formation process and composition. Here are some common types:
Sandstone Conglomerate
Breccia
Clastic Sedimentary Rocks:
Breccia: Composed of large, angular clastic fragments.
Conglomerate: Contains large, rounded clastic particles.
Sandstone: Made from sand-sized clastic particles. shale
Siltstone: Formed from silt-sized particles.
Breccia siltstone
Shale: Consists of clay-sized clastic particles.
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Iron ore
Chemical Sedimentary Rocks:
Chert: Made of microcrystalline quartz.
Rock Salt: An evaporite rock formed from salt crystals.
Dolomite
Flint: A hard variety of chert.
Dolomite: Contains magnesium-rich limestone.
Iron Ore: Composed of sedimentary iron oxide.
Flint
Coal Chalk
Organic Sedimentary Rocks:
Coal: Formed from accumulated plant material.
Chalk: Composed of microscopic calcium carbonate shells.
Limestone: Primarily calcium carbonate rock.
Limestone
Coquina: A type of limestone made from shell fragments.
Oil Shale: Contains organic matter known as kerogen.
Coquina
Oil Shale
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What are some Characteristics of Sedimentary Rocks?
Characteristics of sedimentary rocks include:
Layering or stratification: Visible layers due to different sediment deposition events.
Fossils: Often contain remnants of plants, animals, or microorganisms.
Porosity: Often has pores that can hold water or oil.
Variability in grain size: Ranging from fine clay to coarse gravel.
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Some facts about Sedimentary Rocks:
- Sedimentary rocks are found over the largest surface area of the globe. It is believed that about 75 percent of the surface
area of the globe is covered by sedimentary rocks. Despite their largest coverage, the sedimentary rocks constitute only 5
percent of the composition of the crust.
- Sedimentary rocks often contain visible particles or fragments of various sizes, ranging from clay and silt to sand, pebbles,
and even larger boulders. These particles are often sorted by size due to the selective action of water, wind, or ice during the
deposition process.
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- Sedimentary rocks can be composed of a wide range of materials, including mineral grains, organic matter, and even
chemical precipitates. This diversity in composition is due to the different sources of sediments and the processes they
undergo during formation.
- Sedimentary rocks hold a wealth of information about the Earth’s history, provide essential resources, and play a significant
role in shaping our planet’s landscapes and ecosystems. Studying these rocks contributes to our understanding of geological
processes, environmental changes, and the interconnectedness of Earth’s systems.