What is lithification cemenation and compaction?
Lithification is the process through which sediments transform into solid rock, primarily through two key mechanisms: cementation and compaction. Cementation involves the precipitation of minerals from groundwater that fill the spaces between sediment grains, binding them together. Compaction occurs when overlying sediments exert pressure, reducing the pore space and expelling water, thereby increasing the density of the sediment layers. Together, these processes contribute to the formation of sedimentary rocks.