Thick accumulations of sediment form only in regions where the surface of the Earth's lithospehere sinks as sediment collects.
terrigenous or continental sediments
Chemical sediments are sedimentary rocks that form from the precipitation of minerals dissolved in water. These minerals accumulate on the ocean floor or in lakes through processes like evaporation or chemical reactions. Common examples of chemical sediments include limestone, gypsum, and halite.
Dunes are formed when windblown sediments pile up behind obstacles like rocks or plants. The wind moves these sediments, causing them to accumulate on the downwind side of the obstacle, resulting in dune formation.
Many sediments end up in the ocean, where they are deposited on the seafloor. Others may accumulate in lakes, rivers, or on land. Over time, these sediments can become compressed and cemented together to form sedimentary rocks.
Sediments are formed in the natural environment through the process of weathering and erosion. Weathering breaks down rocks into smaller pieces, while erosion transports these pieces to new locations where they settle and accumulate as sediments. Over time, these sediments can be compacted and cemented together to form sedimentary rocks.
Sediments produced by plants and animals in the sea are called biogenic sediments. These sediments are composed of organic remains, such as shells, corals, and skeletal debris, which accumulate on the seafloor over time.
Large, coarse sediments like boulders and cobbles accumulate the slowest due to their size and weight. These sediments require high energy events, such as strong currents or intense storms, to transport and deposit them. Consequently, they tend to accumulate at a slower rate compared to smaller sediments like sand or mud.
terrigenous or continental sediments
Sediments settle in layers at the bottom of bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, and oceans. Over time, as more sediments accumulate, they become compacted and cemented together to form sedimentary rock.
Fine sediments can reach the ocean floor through various ways, such as river runoff carrying sediment from land, currents transporting sediments offshore, and particles settling from the water column. Once these fine sediments reach the ocean floor, they can accumulate over time to form sediment layers.
The majority of sediments from continents settle in the oceans, especially in areas close to the coastlines where rivers deposit large amounts of sediment. These sediments can accumulate in continental shelves, deep sea trenches, and submarine canyons.
Chemical sediments are sedimentary rocks that form from the precipitation of minerals dissolved in water. These minerals accumulate on the ocean floor or in lakes through processes like evaporation or chemical reactions. Common examples of chemical sediments include limestone, gypsum, and halite.
They accumulate and gather up into thick layers, which with time get compacted and lithified to form sedimentary rock.
Two processes that bring sediments to a new location are erosion, where sediments are broken down and transported by natural forces like water, wind, or ice, and sedimentation, where these sediments accumulate and settle in a new location, forming layers over time.
Dunes are formed when windblown sediments pile up behind obstacles like rocks or plants. The wind moves these sediments, causing them to accumulate on the downwind side of the obstacle, resulting in dune formation.
Some common chemical sediments created by organisms include calcium carbonate (by corals, shellfish), silica (by diatoms), and organic matter (by plants, algae). These sediments accumulate over time and can form rocks such as limestone, chert, and coal.
Many sediments end up in the ocean, where they are deposited on the seafloor. Others may accumulate in lakes, rivers, or on land. Over time, these sediments can become compressed and cemented together to form sedimentary rocks.