What is the process called when sediments are compacted and cemented to form sedimentary rocks?

The process where sediments are compacted and cemented to form sedimentary rocks is known as lithification. This key geological process involves several stages, beginning with the accumulation of sediments, which can include fragments of other rocks, mineral grains, or organic materials.

Once these sediments accumulate, they undergo compaction due to the weight of overlying materials and the pressure exerted by the accumulating layers. This compaction forces water out of the pore spaces between sediment grains. Following compaction, minerals precipitate from the water that remains in those pores, acting as a natural cement that binds the grains together. This combination of compaction and cementation leads to the formation of solid sedimentary rock.

Understanding lithification is essential in the study of sedimentary rocks, as it explains how loose sediments transition to solid rock and contributes to the rock cycle. It plays a pivotal role in creating many important geological formations we observe in the natural world today.