Sedimentary Rocks and Chemical Sedimentary Processes

A set of flashcards covering key concepts and terms related to sedimentary rocks and the processes by which they form.

What is travertine composed of?

Calcium carbonate (CaCO3).

How does oolitic limestone form?

It forms as tiny 'seeds' roll in shallow marine water supersaturated with calcium carbonate.

What are evaporites?

Minerals that precipitate from evaporation-triggered processes in restricted environments.

What is the first mineral to precipitate from seawater evaporation?

Calcite (CaCO3).

What is the significance of coal in sedimentary rock classification?

It's the only rock made up of organic material rather than minerals.

What occurs in the sequence of precipitation from the evaporation of seawater?

Calcite precipitates first, followed by gypsum, halite, bitterns, and nitrates.

What are graded beds in sedimentary structures?

They are layers within a sedimentary bed where particle size changes from coarse at the bottom to fine at the top.

What do cross-beds indicate in sedimentary rocks?

They indicate non-horizontal layering formed under unidirectional currents during deposition.

What are ripple marks?

Small waves of sand that develop on the surface of sedimentary beds from moving water or air.

What does the principle of uniformitarianism state?

'The present is the key to the past.'