Sedimentary Rocks

Where do sedimentary rocks come from?

Sediments

Can you think of an example of sedimentary rock?

Sandstone, shale, limestone, conglomerate…

What processes are involved in the formation of
sedimentary rocks?
Compaction and Cementation
 What is a sedimentary rock?
• Sedimentary rocks are formed by the
accumulation of inorganic and organic
sediments which undergo compaction and
cementation to form rock.
Coal is a sedimentary rock

Compaction

Cementation

Heat and Pressure

Sedimentary Rocks are classified based
on their components.
Clastic Organic Chemical

1.) Conglomerate

1.) Limestone
1.) Coal
2.) Sandstone

3.) Shale
2.) Fossiliferous Limestone 2.) Salt
Environments affect the type of
sediment.
Environments change throughout
geologic time.

Where do you think these rocks are from? GRAND CANYON!!!

 Superposition
• The law of Superposition tells us that the
older rocks are at the bottom of the rock
section and the youngest rocks are at the top
of the rock section.
 Rock Section activity
• Create your own sedimentary rock section by
filling in a plastic container with at least 3
sediments from the different environments.
• Make sure not to overfill the plastic
containers.
 Wrap up questions
write on the back of your handout

• Describe the layers in your cross section.

• How many layers are there?
• What were the environments of deposition?
• Which order do the layers go in?
• Which layer is the oldest?
• Which layer is the youngest?
Different environments produce
different sedimentary rocks.
Different environments produce
different sedimentary rocks.
Different environments produce
different sedimentary rocks.
Different environments produce
different sedimentary rocks.
 Climates have been changing for
billions of years.
• http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/geology/anim1.html
Climate change occurs naturally, but
we aren’t sure why.

Wisconsin Stage
(26,000 to 13,300 years ago)
Recently, scientists have seen a global warming
trend coinciding with Industrialization.
Climates have changed dramatically in
Pennsylvania.