I WONDER - What Are Sedimentary Rocks?

Sedimentary rocks form from layers of sediment, which originate from weathered rocks, animal skeletons, plants, and minerals. These sediments, when buried and compacted, create sedimentary rocks, often containing fossils. Such rocks have layers called strata and are found on cliff edges or in caves. Examples include sandstone, flint, and chalk.

What process breaks rocks into smaller pieces known as sediment?

• Melting

• Freezing

• Erosion

• Weathering

What can sediment be formed from besides weathered rocks?

• Volcanic ash

• Animal skeletons and plants

• Lava

• Metal ores

What happens to sediments when they are buried and compressed?

• They dissolve

• They form igneous rocks

• They form sedimentary rocks

• They become fossils

Where might you find sedimentary rocks?

• On mountain peaks

• In deserts

• On cliff edges or in caves

• In the ocean

Which of the following is an example of a sedimentary rock?

• Sandstone

• Marble

• Basalt

• Granite