sedimentary rocks

• rock cycle?


  model that illustrates the origin of the 3 basic types of rocks & the interrelatedness of Earth’s materials and processes
• igneous rock?


  rock formed from the cooling and hardening (recrystallization) of molten (melted) minerals
• sedimentary rock?


  rock formed from weathered products of pre-existing rocks that have been transported, deposited, compacted, & cemented
• metamorphic rock?


  rock formed from the alteration of pre-existing rock under the influence of heat and pressure
• clastic sedimentary rock?


  sedimentary rocks that are made up of pieces of pre-existing rocks
• chemical sedimentary rock?


  breaking down of rocks by changing the molecular structure of rocks and soil.
• biologic/biochemical sedimentary rock?


  sedimentary rocks that form when living organisms die, pile up, and are then compressed and cemented together. 
• rock erosion?


  the geological process in which earth materials are transported by natural forces such as wind or water.
• rock deposition?


  the geological process in which sediments, soil and rocks are added to a landform or landmass
• rock compaction?


  layers are squeezed together and any water mixed in with the sediments is forced out
• rock cementation?


  the hardening and welding of clastic sediments (those formed from preexisting rock fragments) by the precipitation of mineral matter in the pore spaces.
• mechanical weathering?


  also called physical weathering; it is a process that causes rocks to break down
• chemical weathering?


  breaking down of rocks by changing the molecular structure of rocks and soil.
• rock exfoliation?


  process in which large flat or curved sheets of rock fracture and are detached from the outcrop due to pressure release
• frost wedging?


  happens when water gets in crack, freezes, and expands
• regolith?


  the layer of unconsolidated rocky material covering bedrock
• soil?


  the upper layer of earth in which plants grow a black or dark brown material typically consisting of a mixture of organic remains, clay, and rock particles
• soil horizon?


  a layer parallel to the soil surface whose physical, chemical and biological characteristics differ from the layers above and beneath.
• humus?


  he organic component of soil, formed by the decomposition of leaves and other plant material by soil microorganisms
• bedrock?


  solid rock underlying loose deposits such as soil or alluvium.
• mass movement?


  bulk movements of soil and rock debris down slopes in response to the pull of gravity
• glacier?


  a slowly moving mass or river of ice formed by the accumulation and compaction of snow on mountains or near the poles
• alluvial fan?


  a fan-shaped mass of alluvium deposited as the flow of a river decreases in velocity.
• wind deflation?


  the removal of solid particles by wind]
• wind abrasion?


  the process of friction caused by scuffing, scratching, wearing down, marring, and rubbing away of materials
• Rock Cycle:

  • Model illustrating the origin of the 3 basic types of rocks and the interrelatedness of Earth’s materials and processes
• Igneous Rock:

  • Formed from the cooling and hardening (recrystallization) of molten (melted) minerals
• Sedimentary Rock:

  • Formed from weathered products of pre-existing rocks that have been transported, deposited, compacted, and cemented
• Metamorphic Rock:

  • Formed from the alteration of pre-existing rock under the influence of heat and pressure
• Clastic Sedimentary Rock:

  • Made up of pieces of pre-existing rocks
• Chemical Sedimentary Rock:

  • Form by precipitation of minerals from water
• Biologic/Biochemical Sedimentary Rock:

  • Form when living organisms die, pile up, and are then compressed and cemented together
• Rock Erosion:

  • Geological process where earth materials are transported by natural forces like wind or water
• Rock Deposition:

  • Geological process where sediments, soil, and rocks are added to a landform or landmass
• Rock Compaction:

  • Layers are squeezed together and any water mixed in with the sediments is forced out
• Rock Cementation:

  • Hardening and welding of clastic sediments by the precipitation of mineral matter in the pore spaces
• Mechanical Weathering:

  • Also called physical weathering; it causes rocks to break down
• Chemical Weathering:

  • Breaking down of rocks by changing the molecular structure of rocks and soil
• Rock Exfoliation:

  • Process where large flat or curved sheets of rock fracture and detach from the outcrop due to pressure release
• Frost Wedging:

  • Water gets in a crack, freezes, and expands