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Jmdonev at 20:00, 24 September 2015

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[[File:Sedimentary_Rock_Layers_Zabriskie_Point_Death_Valley_USA.jpg|360px|thumb|right|Figure 1. Sedimentary rock with visible layers.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (September 17, 2015). ''Sedimentary Rock Layers'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Sedimentary_Rock_Layers_Zabriskie_Point_Death_Valley_USA.jpg</ref>]]

<onlyinclude>'''Sedimentary rock''' is rock that is formed over a period of time as a result of accumulation of [[sediment]] in one area.</onlyinclude> There are three main types of sedimentary rocks:<ref name="RE1">Geology.com. (September 17, 2015). ''Sedimentary Rock'' [Online]. Available: http://geology.com/rocks/sedimentary-rocks.shtml</ref>

* '''Classic sedimentary''': Formed from mechanical weathering of debris
* '''Chemical sedimentary''': Formed when dissolved minerals precipitate from a solution
* '''Organic sedimentary''': Form from the accumulation of plant or animal debris

Sedimentary rock is very common. This type of rock covers around three quarters of the land area, mostly on the [[ocean]] floor. In some places, such as at the mouths of rivers, sedimentary rock can be as much as 12 000 [[meter]]s thick.<ref name="RE3">Government of Prince Edward Island. (September 20, 2015). ''Sedimentary Rock'' [Online]. Available: http://www.edu.pe.ca/southernkings/sedimentaryec.htm</ref> Some examples of common types of sedimentary rock are sandstone, limestone, chalk, and clay.<ref name="RE2">BBC GSCE Bitesize. (September 20, 2015). ''Sedimentary Rock'' [Online]. Available: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/rock_landscapes/classification_rocks_rev4.shtml</ref>

Sedimentary rock is important to the [[energy sector]] because this is the type of rock that forms [[fossil fuel]]s. For example, sedimentary rocks such as [[shale]] can contain large amounts of [[kerogen]] that can be extracted to obtain [[oil]]. This type of shale is known as [[oil shale]]. [[Natural gas]] can also be trapped in shale, and this type of gas is known as [[shale gas]]. As well, sedimentary rock is a common rock found in [[oil and gas reservoir|oil reservoirs]].

==Formation==
Sedimentary rock is formed over the course of millions, even [[timescale of the universe|billions of years]]. In fact, geologist believe that sedimentary rock was forming three and a half billion years ago.<ref name="RE3"/> The formation begins when different types of sediments settle in the bottom of a lake, sea, or ocean. If not in a body of [[water]], sedimentary rock can form as a result of the [[pressure]] of increased compression of sediment on land over the course of millions of years.<ref name="RE2"/>

The sediment contained in sedimentary rock tends to come from rocks that have been eroded by rivers or ice. Larger rocks are broken down into small pieces that are carried away and moved to wherever the sediment is collecting. As layer after layer of sediment is deposited, the pressure on this sediment increases. Over the course of millions of years, this increasing pressure causes the lower layers of sediment to be compressed into sedimentary rock. The type of sediment deposited will change the type of sedimentary rock created. For example a sand deposit turns into sandstone, while silt becomes shale.<ref name="RE3"/>

After thousands of years, sedimentary rock is formed once layers of compact rock mold together. Water trickles slowly through these layers, depositing mineral cement and fusing the layers of rock. These layers vary in composition and texture.<ref name="RE3"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

Sedimentary rock - Revision history

J.williams: 1 revision imported

Jmdonev at 20:00, 24 September 2015