Sedimentary Processes and Soil Formation

Sedimentary process

Formation of sediments through various environmental factors.

Diagenesis

Processes affecting sediments post-deposition before metamorphism.

Lithification

Conversion of loose sediment into solid rock.

Mechanical weathering

Fragmentation of rock without changing composition.

Chemical weathering

Rock alteration through chemical reactions.

Erosion

Dislodging and transporting weathered rock particles.

Transport and Sorting

Movement and classification of sediment by size.

Sedimentary Basins

Depressions accumulating thick sediment layers.

Soil

Layer of weathered material supporting plant growth.

Regolith

Loose material covering planetary surfaces.

Compaction

Reduction of sediment volume under pressure.

Cementation

Mineral crystallization binding sediment particles.

Clastic sediments

Eroded fragments of rocks and minerals.

Chemical sediments

Minerals formed from dissolved ions in water.

Biogenic sediments

Minerals precipitated by biological processes.

Evaporite environments

Mineral deposits formed from evaporating seawater.

Carbonate environments

Sedimentary environments producing carbonate minerals.

Siliceous environments

Sediments formed from silica precipitation.

Abrasion

Scouring of surfaces by moving particles.

Dissolution

Soluble minerals dissolved in flowing water.

Hydrolysis

Chemical breakdown of minerals by water.

Oxidation

Chemical reaction involving oxygen altering minerals.

Forearc basin

Sedimentary basin located between a trench and an island arc.

Rift basin

Depression formed by tectonic plate divergence.