Unit 4.2 Rocks Vocabulary

Front

What is a sedimentary rock?

Back

A type of rock formed from the accumulation and compaction of sediments, which can include fragments of other rocks, minerals, and organic material.

Front

What is cementation in geology?

Back

The process by which dissolved minerals crystallize and bind sediment particles together, forming solid rock.

Front

What is compaction in the context of sedimentary rocks?

Back

The process that squeezes sediments under pressure, reducing their volume and increasing their density.

Front

What is a clastic rock?

Back

A type of sedimentary rock composed of fragments (clasts) of pre-existing rocks and minerals.

Front

What is conglomerate rock?

Back

A type of clastic sedimentary rock made up of large, rounded fragments of various rocks and minerals cemented together.

Front

What is sandstone?

Back

A clastic sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized particles, often formed in environments like beaches and deserts.

Front

What is shale?

Back

A fine-grained clastic sedimentary rock formed from compacted mud and clay, often containing fossils.

Front

What is limestone?

Back

A sedimentary rock primarily composed of calcium carbonate, often formed from the remains of marine organisms.

Front

What are sediments?

Back

Small particles of rock, minerals, or organic material that accumulate in layers and can form sedimentary rocks.

Front

What is the difference between clastic and chemical sedimentary rocks?

Back

Clastic rocks are formed from fragments of other rocks, while chemical rocks form from the precipitation of minerals from solution.