* Weathering: Igneous rocks exposed at the Earth's surface are broken down into smaller pieces by physical and chemical processes. This can include:
* Physical weathering: Freeze-thaw cycles, abrasion by wind or water, and pressure release.
* Chemical weathering: Reactions with water, acids, or oxygen that dissolve or alter the rock's minerals.
* Erosion: Once weathered, the rock fragments are transported by wind, water, or ice to a new location.
After weathering and erosion, the following steps occur to form sedimentary rocks:
* Deposition: The transported fragments settle and accumulate in layers.
* Compaction: The weight of overlying layers presses the sediment together, squeezing out water and air.
* Cementation: Dissolved minerals in the water between sediment grains crystallize and bind the grains together, forming solid rock.
Let me know if you'd like more detail on any of these processes!
