CH 26.3 Flashcards
define clasts
Rock is a consolidated mixture of minerals. Some of these minerals could be in bits
and pieces of other rocks. Such small rock and mineral fragments are called clasts.
what types of erosion are rocks on earth’s surface exposed to?
Rock on Earth’s surface are exposed to water, wind, and other forces.
what does it mean if clasts are being transported?
Mechanical weathering processes break down rocks into smaller clasts.
what does it mean if clasts are being deposited?
When clasts are transported to new locations, they often become rounded before
being deposited.
define pore space
When clasts are loose on Earth’s surface, they don’t fit together perfectly. The
empty space in between the grains is called pore space.
define compaction
The process by which clasts stick together due to the weight of overlying material
is called compaction.
define cementation
Minerals precipitate slowly out of a water solution and crystallize in the spaces
between clasts in a process called cementation.
how are sedimentary rocks formed?
Most of the time both compaction and cementation work together to make
sedimentary rock.
what is another name for clasts?
detrital sedimentary
rock.
what are sedimentary rocks called that are mostly made of clasts?
detrital sedimentary
rock.
what is the decreasing size of clasts?
clasts are known as gravel, sand, silt, or clay.
which clast size would be deposited first?
The size of the clast can be used to infer how the clast was transported.
what are 4 common detrital sedimentary rocks?
coerce
medium
fine
very fine
how are chemical sedimentary rocks formed?
Chemical sedimentary rocks form from water that contains dissolved solids.
if sedimentary rocks contain remains of living organisms what are they called?
If sedimentary rocks contain the remains of living organisms they are called
biochemical sedimentary rocks.
