What is lithification? How is sedimentary rock formed?
What is lithification? How is sedimentary rock formed?
Rocks are the basic building structure of earth. It is comprised of variable minerals, covering a large portion of the earth. There are three types of rocks and they are namely- metamorphic rock (formed due to high pressure), sedimentary rock (formed due to accumulation of sediments), and igneous rock (formed due to cooling of magma).
Lithification is a rapidly occurring process where it allows the loose, disintegrated sediments to undergo compaction and hardening, resulting in the formation of sedimentary rocks.
The process of lithification plays a significant role in the formation of sedimentary rocks. Lithification is the process of the formation of rocks from loose sediments. On the surface of the earth, the loose sediments are transported from different places and are deposited, and eventually, due to the continuous compaction and lithification process, they are transformed into rocks, which are commonly known as sedimentary rocks. For example, Sandstone, Limestone, Shale, etc.
Sedimentary rocks are very important as they comprise fossils in different parts of the world. The paleontologists can determine the age of the fossil (plants or animals), by calculating the age of the rocks using different radioactive dating methods.
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