Classification of Sedimentary Rocks

Vocabulary flashcards covering Table 6-2: Classification of Sedimentary Rocks including clastic, organic, and chemical rock types, their names, and methods of formation.

Clastic Sedimentary Rocks

A rock type formed by the lithification of clastic sediments, categorized by grain size into coarse grained, medium grained, and fine grained.

Conglomerate or Breccia

Coarse-grained clastic sedimentary rocks formed by the lithification of clastic sediments.

Sandstone

A medium-grained clastic sedimentary rock formed by the lithification of clastic sediments.

Shale

A fine-grained clastic sedimentary rock formed by the lithification of clastic sediments.

Organic Sedimentary Rocks

A rock type formed by the accumulation and lithification of remains of living things.

Limestone

An organic sedimentary rock formed from calcium carbonate-shells through the accumulation and lithification of remains of living things.

Coal

An organic sedimentary rock formed from plant matter through the accumulation and lithification of remains of living things.

Chemical Sedimentary Rocks

A rock type formed by the precipitation of dissolved minerals from water.

Evaporite

A chemical sedimentary rock formed from minerals such as calcite, halite, and gypsum via the precipitation of dissolved minerals from water.

Calcite, Halite, and Gypsum

Minerals that precipitate from dissolved minerals in water to form evaporite chemical sedimentary rocks.