GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -stratification, the layering that occurs in most sedimentary rocks and in those igneous rocks formed at the Earth’s surface, as from lava flows and volcanic fragmental deposits. The layers range from several millimetres to many metres in thickness and vary greatly in shape.

Detailed explanation-2: -The most important geological processes that lead to the creation of sedimentary rocks are erosion, weathering, dissolution, precipitation, and lithification. Erosion and weathering include the effects of wind and rain, which slowly break down large rocks into smaller ones.

Detailed explanation-3: -Sedimentary rocks typically occur in horizontal layers called strata. In undisturbed strata, younger layers sit on top of older ones. This is known as the law of superposition.

Detailed explanation-4: -Lithification is the hardening of layers of loose sediment into rock (Figure 4.12). Lithification is made up of two processes: cementation and compaction. Cementation occurs when substances crystallize or fill in the spaces between the loose particles of sediment.

Detailed explanation-5: -STRATIFICATION refers to the way sediment layers are stacked over each other, and can occur on the scale of hundreds of meters, and down to submillimeter scale. It is a fundamental feature of sedimentary rocks.