What is sedimentary rock?

Sedimentary rocks are formed through the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles, organic matter, or precipitated minerals at Earth's surface. While they cover most of the land surface, they form only a small fraction of the Earth's crust by volume. They are crucial for understanding Earth history and providing natural resources like fossil fuels and water.

What we know

• Sedimentary rocks are one of the three major types of rock recognized by geologists, alongside igneous and metamorphic rocks. [2, 3]
• Sedimentary rocks form from the cementation of geological or biological detritus accumulated at the Earth's surface. [2]
• They cover approximately 73 percent of the Earth's current land surface. [2]
• Sedimentary rocks are deposited in layers called strata, creating a structure known as bedding. [2]
• The study of sedimentary rock sequences serves as a primary source for understanding Earth history, paleoclimatology, and paleogeography. [2]

Where to go next

• how it workedHow does sediment turn into rock?
• compared withWhat are igneous and metamorphic rocks?
• how we knowHow do sedimentary rocks preserve fossils?
• a case in pointWhat is the Nam Phong Formation?
• the bigger pictureWhat is sedimentology?
• an unexpected connectionHow did a sedimentary rock formation spark a presidential scandal?Teapot Rock, a distinctive sedimentary rock formation in Wyoming, became the focal point of the notorious Teapot Dome political bribery scandal during the Harding administration.

Sources

• [1]sedimentary rock (Wikidata Q82480) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Sedimentary rock · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]List of rock types · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Nam Phong Formation · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Teapot Rock · CC BY-SA 4.0