The overall hardening of loose sediment into coherent rock, encompassing the combined effects of compaction and cementation that occur during diagenesis. It is the final stage that converts unconsolidated deposits such as sand, mud and shell fragments into the sedimentary rock record geologists read to reconstruct past environments.
Facts
Timescale
Timescale (category) Process TypeBiogeochemical or Pedological 1 Connections
Shaped
Source Cliffs of Moher (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Lithification (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation- Wikipedia infobox 'Lead section' = 'Lithification (from the Ancient Greek word lithos meaning 'rock' an...' on 'Lithification'
Lead section
Lithification (from the Ancient Greek word lithos meaning 'rock' and the Latin-derived suffix -ific) is the process in which sediments compact under pressure, expel connate fluids, and gradually become solid rock. Essentially, lithification is a process of porosity destruction through compaction and cementation.
View the Source Cliffs of Moher (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationShaped: Cliffs of Moher, Formation statement for target 287805Quote, Shaped: Cliffs of Moher, Formation statement for target 287805
Over millions of years, the sediments collecting at the mouth of this ancient delta were compacted and lithified into the sedimentary strata preserved in the now-exposed cliffs.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.