Sedimentary rocks are produced by weathering. Weathering is mostly caused by rainfall, but also occurs from wind and chemical decomposition of the earth's surface. Erosion then transports weathering products, namely dissolved particles from the weathering site. These fine particles are then deposited elsewhere as sediment.
Over time, with the passing of millions of years, sedimentary rock will be formed by the pressure produced from the piling up of these sediments.
In this first photo you can see a trickle of water carrying sediment as it connects to the larger stream. The sediment clouds the water until it settles to the bottom of the riverbed.
This photo displays exactly how fossils are formed. Leaves that have dropped have gotten stuck in the tacky sediment. As more and more sediment covers what lies in this sticky concoction of particles, fossils have been born, and will take millions of years to solidify. Although not present in this photo, remains from animal life may one day get covered in sediment and and become a part of Earth's geological history.
The outline of fallen leaves with their stems still exposed, have already been covered by sediment. Look careful and you can see the veins in the leaves.
Many of the significant events in Earth history can be documented by analyzing and interpreting the sedimentary rock.
Sedimentary rock can only be found on the earth's crust. It makes up the smallest portion of rock found on earth.
Sedimentary rocks contain essentially the world’s entire supply of oil and natural gas, coal, phosphates, salt deposits, and groundwater. Therefor, the economic value of Sedimentary rock can not be overstated.
In this picture you can see the distinct layers of sediment as mounting pressures have solidified its existence.
Sedimentary rocks contain the fossil record of long ago life-forms. This documentation provides us with the evolutionary progression of simple to complex organisms in the plant and animal kingdoms.
As the rushing stream passes over this tiny water falls it is carrying the future recordings of our very existence. One day we may end up fossilized along with the other living matter, encapsulated our existence.
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