1. Weathering: The process of weathering breaks down rocks and minerals into smaller particles. This can be caused by physical processes, such as freezing and thawing, or by chemical processes, such as hydrolysis and oxidation.
2. Erosion: Erosion is the process of sediment transport by water, wind, ice, or gravity. Erosion can be caused by natural processes, such as rainfall and runoff, or by human activities, such as deforestation and agriculture.
3. Deposition: Deposition occurs when sediment is deposited in a new location. This can occur when the energy of the transporting medium decreases, such as when a river slows down or a glacier melts. Deposition can also occur when sediment is trapped by obstacles, such as vegetation or dams.
4. Compaction: Compaction occurs when sediment is compressed under its own weight or by the weight of overlying material. Compaction reduces the porosity of sediment and makes it more resistant to erosion.
5. Cementation: Cementation occurs when minerals are precipitated between sediment grains, binding them together into a solid rock. Cementation can occur by chemical processes, such as the precipitation of calcite or silica, or by physical processes, such as the freezing of water between sediment grains.
These processes are not mutually exclusive, and often occur in combination to form sediments. For example, weathering and erosion may produce sediment that is then transported by water and deposited in a new location. The sediment may then be compacted and cemented into a solid rock.
