Sedimentary Rocks

All types of rocks, whether they are igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary, when exposed to the surface of the earth will become hit with chemicals and mechanical agents of erosion. If the rock becomes eroded to where it develops into a small size, it can then be carried by water, ice or wind and then deposited in layers known as strata. These layers are commonly then hardened into through a process, which is called lithification and the end result is sedimentary rock. There are two types of sedimentary rock, which are known as clastic or chemical.

Clastic sedimentary rocks are rocks that are made up of fragments of rock that have been taken from other decomposed or rocks that have disintegrated. Some of the most known of sedimentary rocks include conglomerate, shale, and sandstone.

Chemical sedimentary rocks are the ones that have been rushed from material that dissolved in the water. Inorganic chemical sediments are the ones that have been dissolved in water and deposited due to evaporation. Some examples of these types are certain kinds of limestone, salt from seawater is another and dolomite. Organic sedimentary rocks are generally composed of the hard parts of animals, such as bones and shells, and they can often times get cemented together over a period of time and form into rock. In most cases the bones and shells are made of calcite, or minerals that are alike, and the organic rock that is made from them is called limestone.

Sedimentary rocks have also provided us with a scientific classification of the size of the rocks as well. Prospectors are interested in knowing about the classifications because a great deal of mining uses the terms to describe mining operations that take place.