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The process in which sediments compact under pressure, expel connate fluids, and gradually become solid rock. Essentially, lithification is a process of porosity destruction through compaction and cementation.

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Rocks are generally grouped into igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Sedimentary rocks are usually well exposed on the earth's surface and in water bodies as well. Rock materials from pre-existing rocks (such as metamorphic, igneous and previously shaped sedimentary rocks) that have been eroded, weathered and compacted over time, make up sedimentary rocks.

These types of rocks are therefore, formed from previously existing rocks that are unrelentingly weathered or eroded, then deposited.

They are transported to the deposit site by agents of denudation (e.g. water, ice, wind and mass movements). After being deposited, they are compacted and cemented through lithification. Lithification is the process through which sediments are changed into a rock (as you can see, this is how the label 'sedimentary rock' came to be).

How Are Sedimentary Rocks Formed?

All types of rocks are relentlessly exposed to erosion and weathering. Small debris from formations of rocks and mountains which undergo erosion together with other granite substances like soils, are usually transported from highlands by denudation agents to low areas.

Over long periods of time, the debris ultimately settles through sedimentation. Some materials may settle within water bodies and others on land.

Water forces, gravity, wind power, thermal expansion and expansion of salt crystals that dissipate the previously existing rocks into tiny pieces are what usually cause weathering and erosion. As the debris is transported to lower areas, the materials are smoothened by abrasion. They come to a halt by leaving small spaces in-between the grains which causes them to have a distorted shape.

They are continuously deposited a layer after another to create a new collection of homogeneous material. After this, carbonates, oxides and silica, which cause cementation and compaction, mix together with the deposits. Compaction caused by the mass of the piling layers of deposits lessens the porousness of the rocks created and increases the cohesion of the grains.

Sometimes, fossil fuels together with organic matter may combine with the sediments which lead to cementation. Cementation may be described as the combining of rock materials together by salt crystals or by organic matter. After the mixture hardens, it becomes a rock. Sedimentary rocks are therefore, made from the deposit of sediments which are weathered, eroded, deposited and eventually compacted and cemented.

Types of Sedimentary Rock

There are three major types of sedimentary rocks; chemical, clastic and organic sedimentary rocks.

1. Chemical

Chemical sedimentary rocks occur when components of water evaporate and previously dissolved minerals are left behind. These types of sedimentary rocks usually occur in arid areas; like gypsum and salt deposits. Examples of chemical sedimentary rocks are: chert, dolomites, flint, rock salt, iron ore and some types of limestone.

2. Clastic

Clastic sedimentary rocks occur when there is buildup of tiny pieces of broken rocks (clastics). These are deposited due to mechanical weathering and lithification of the rocks through cementation and compaction. Breccias, shale, sandstone and siltstone are all examples of this type of sedimentary rocks.

3. Organic

Organic sedimentary rocks occur as a result of the accumulation of any form of animal or plant remains like bones. Animal and plant debris contain calcium that piles up on the floor of water bodies over years to create organic sedimentary rocks. Examples of this kind of rocks are coal, some types of dolomites and some forms of limestone.

Some Examples of Sedimentary Rocks

Amber

This is an organic sedimentary rock that is plastic in nature. It is light in weight compared to most of the usual stones. Amber is tree sap that has hardened over time. It is usually clear yellow, creamy yellow, red or dark brown in color.

Breccia

This is a type of clastic sedimentary rock formed from angular fragmented rocks that have undergone cementation. The angular shape suggests that the fragmented pieces have not travelled too far from their previously existing rocks. The fragmented parts look like conglomerate due to their big pea-sizes. Breccias are normally seen along fault areas and take on different colors.

Chert

Chert belongs to the group of chemical sedimentary rocks formed from deposits of cryptocrystalline quartz. Cherts are usually gray or dull brown and are normally seen as nodules well-enclosed in limestone. They normally protrude out of the mineral when the mineral is put in water.

Reddish-brown, red or bright yellowish-brown chert is called Jasper, while chert that has a waxy luster is known as Flint.

Conglomerate

Conglomerates belong to the group of clastic sedimentary rocks. They result fromthe cementation of semi-rounded pieces of broken rock. The semi-rounded pieces show that they have gone through abrasion and travelled quite far from their previously existing rocks.

Conglomerates are usually deposited at shorelines or streams and may be in pea-sizes or bigger. They are at times called pudding stone and are used in the construction industry.

Coal

Coal is a type of organic sedimentary rock formed from the accumulation of plant material that has undergone decomposition in a swampy area. It is naturally combustible and is usually mined for use as a fuel. It may be brown or black in color and its concentration is dependent on the effect of compaction and changes in the previously existing organic life forms.

Anthracite, bituminous, lignite and peat are all examples of coal.

Dolomite

Dolomites belong to the group of chemical sedimentary rocks that are similar to calcite. The resemblance is because, dolomite usually starts to take form as limestone but is eventually changed chemically via the substitution of magnesium in place of some of its calcium.

Gypsum

Gypsum is a type of chemical sedimentary rock that is soft and can be distorted easily. It is normally white in color and is utilized in the production of plaster of Paris.

Limestone

Limestone belongs to the group of chemical sedimentary rocks formed from mineral calcite. It is usually challenging to visually identify limestone. Limestone may appear in dark gray, light gray or brown color.

Examples of limestone are: coquina limestone made up of fragmented shells, fossiliferous limestone composed of fossils, encrinal limestone formed of crinoid pieces, lithographic limestone that has fine grains, and travertine limestone usually transported by water.

Limestone is a sedimentary rock that has many uses. It is used in making cement, manufacturing lime, making paper, glass, insecticides, fiberglass, coating chewing gum and making petrochemicals.

Rock salt

It belongs to the group of chemical sedimentary rocks usually formed by mineral sodium chloride. Rock salt is normally colorless or white and may have color when combined with impurities like clay or iron oxide. Its salty taste and solubility in water is used to identify it. Rock salt is also referred to as halite.

Sandstone

Sandstones are a type of clastic sedimentary rocks formed from sand grains that have undergone cementation. They take on black, brown, gray, pink, red or white color. Sandstones may have either fine or coarse grains which makes them easy to distinguish visually.

Quartz (mature) sandstones are light in color and are mainly made of round and well-formed quartz grains. On the other hand, greywackes (immature) sandstones are made of angular-shaped grains of different minerals.

Shale

Shale is a type of clastic sedimentary rock. It is made up of clay minerals that have undergone compaction by the mass of the overlying rocks. Shales usually have the tendency to break into flat pieces. They are of different colors such as black, brown, gray and red, which depend on the composition of oxides of iron and organic matter.

In general they are a wonderful source of fossils and are mainly seen at the floor of lakes or oceans. They are at times added to bricks and cement.

Siltstone

Siltstones are a kind of clastic sedimentary rocks. They are made up of small rock pieces which are coarser than clay but finer than the grains of sand in terms of texture. Siltstone is challenging to identify because it resembles sandstone that has fine grains or a coarse type of shale. They come in a wide range of colors.

Hopefully, this answers your search on how sedimentary rocks are formed and what are their types in nature. Kudos!

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Sedimentary Rock: Types and How They Are Formed?

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Rocks are generally grouped into igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Sedimentary rocks are usually well exposed on the earth's surface and in water bodies as well. Rock materials from pre-existing rocks (such as metamorphic, igneous and previously shaped sedimentary rocks) that have been eroded, weathered and compacted over time, make...

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http://www.mineralogy4kids.org/?q=rock-cycle

https://www.rocksandminerals4u.com/sedimentary_rock.html

http://www.mineralogy4kids.org/?q=rock-cycle/clastic-sedimentary-rocks

https://www.studentenergy.org/topics/coal

https://www.tes.com/lessons/Rey2sw4oRWGu3g/igneous-rocks

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Chemical sedimentary rocks are formed from solutions of dissolved minerals and water. For example Silica which is used to preserve food and types of clothing.

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Organic sedimentary rocks are formed by things that were once living. These organisms have died and decomposed into kinds of rocks like coal.

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The igneous rocks, the metamorphic rocks, and the sedimentary rocks all come up from underground and restart the process. When the rocks are brought up the weathering starts up all over again. This cycle will go on forever.

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The magma flows into a volcano (volcanic Eruption) and when it erupts the magma leaks out the top. It cools like crazy and solidify's very quick. It can also be caused by fissures. For example obsidian

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The magma cools down relatively slowly compared to extrusive, forming crystals. This process is called crystallization. This process happens and occurs underground. For example Granite.

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The metamorphic rocks are then hit with extremely high temperatures and eventually turned to magma.

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These rocks are formed when the temperatures are really high but the pressures are relatively low and equal in all directions (confining pressure). For example Quartzite.

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The sedimentary rocks have a banded appearance that is formed by exposure to heat and direct pressure. For example Gneiss.

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If the sediment deeply it becomes compacted and cemented. For example Sandstone.

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The rock pieces of pre-existing rocks are transported to a basin where the sediment is trapped.

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The rocks start to dissolve, wore away, or break down smaller and smaller.