2. Erosion The incorporation and transportation of material by a mobile agent, such as water, wind, or ice.
3. Deposition The process by which an agent of erosion loses energy and drops the sediment it is carrying; also the process by which water vapor is changed directly to a solid without passing through the liquid state.
4. Compaction Process by which sediments are squeezed together by the weight of overlying materials driving out water.
5. Cementation Solidification of sediments by the deposition of dissolved minerals in the tiny spaces between the sedimentary particles.
7. Chemical Sedimentary Rock Sedimentary rock consisting of material that was precipitated from water by either inorganic or organic means.
8. Key Concept Describe the major processes involved in the formation of sedimentary rocks. Erosion involves weathering and the removal of rock. When an agent of erosion-water, wind, ice, or gravity-loses energy, it drops the sediments.
9. Key Concept What are clastic sedimentary rocks? A sedimentary rock made of broken fragments of preexisting rock.
10. Key Concept What are chemical sedimentary rocks? Sedimentary rock consisting of material that was precipitated from water by either inorganic or organic means.
11. Key Concept What features are unique to some sedimentary rocks? The many unique features of sedimentary rocks are clues to how, when, and where the rocks formed.
