Lithification

Sediments become rocks by lithification

Compaction - lithification occurs as the weight of
overlying sediments and rocks squeeze the sediments
together into rock.
Cementation - precipitates from groundwater and the
growth of secondary minerals between the fragments may
cement the rock. (Calcium, Silica)
Fe in Silica can create Red Sandstone

Recrystallization - minerals may reform or change

owing to burial pressure and temperatures - does not
necessarily make the rock metamorphic.

Depositional Environments

Continental: on a land mass; usually detrital (clastic)

in a river; detrital.
in a lake; detrital or chemical.
by the wind; detrital.
in the desert; detrital or chemical.
by a glacier; detrital.
in a delta; detrital.

Alluvial Fan Deposits

Sorting - degree to which the particles are the same size, i.e. if all
the particles are the same size, then they are well-sorted. The
following figure shows an increase in sorting, from left to right,
from very poorly sorted through to very well sorted.

Grain shape - reflects the degree of abrading during transport,

length of transport, and resistance to weathering and abrasion.

Depositional Environments
Marine: in the oceans; detrital or chemical
Reef: usually detrital, occasionally chemical.
Shelf: on the continental shelf; detrital or
chemical.
Submarine channel or fan: detrital.
Pelagic: deep sea ocean floor; usually chemical.

Depositional Environments
Transitional (shorelines): between land and sea; usually
detrital.
Linear: form long deposits (shorelines); can be detrital
or chemical.

Graded Bedding

Cross Bedding

Bedding Planes

Ripple Marks

Asymettric Ripples

Mudcracks