Here's a breakdown of the steps involved in lithification:
1. Deposition: Sediments like sand, mud, or shells accumulate in layers.
2. Burial: Over time, more sediments are deposited on top, burying the older layers.
3. Compaction: The weight of the overlying sediments squeezes out water and air from the spaces between the sediment grains.
4. Cementation: Dissolved minerals in the water seep into the spaces between the sediment grains and crystallize, binding them together.
This entire process of compaction and cementation transforms loose sediments into solid rock.
