Which term refers to the process by which sediments become solid rock?

Which term refers to the process by which sediments become solid rock?

• A. Lithification
• B. Erosion
• C. Weathering
• D. Stratification

Answer: (A)

Lithification is the process that turns loose sediments into solid rock. After sediments accumulate and are buried, the weight of overlying material compresses the grains (compaction), and minerals dissolved in water can precipitate between the grains to cement them together (cementation). These changes transform loose sediment into sedimentary rock. This differs from weathering, which breaks rocks down into smaller pieces; erosion, which moves those pieces elsewhere; and stratification, which is the layering that forms as sediments are laid down over time.

Lithification is the process that turns loose sediments into solid rock. After sediments accumulate and are buried, the weight of overlying material compresses the grains (compaction), and minerals dissolved in water can precipitate between the grains to cement them together (cementation). These changes transform loose sediment into sedimentary rock. This differs from weathering, which breaks rocks down into smaller pieces; erosion, which moves those pieces elsewhere; and stratification, which is the layering that forms as sediments are laid down over time.