* The weight of the water above the sediment compresses the sediment, squeezing out the water and air and causing the particles to come closer together. The more sediment that is deposited, the more the sediment beneath is compressed.

*As more and more sediment is deposited, the pressure and temperature in the sediment increase. This causes the minerals in the sediment to recrystallize, forming a solid rock.

*The type of rock that is formed depends on the composition of the sediment and the pressure and temperature conditions during recrystallization.