It's not entirely accurate to talk about "stages" of sedimentary rocks. The formation of sedimentary rocks is a process, not a series of stages. However, we can break down the process into four key steps:

1. Weathering and Erosion:

* Weathering: The breakdown of existing rocks, minerals, and other materials at the Earth's surface. This can be caused by physical processes like freezing/thawing or abrasion by wind and water, or chemical processes like oxidation and dissolution.

* Erosion: The transport of weathered material by wind, water, ice, or gravity. This process moves the material away from its original location.

2. Transportation and Deposition:

* Transportation: The weathered material is carried by wind, water, or ice to a new location.

* Deposition: The transported material settles out of the transporting medium, often in layers, due to a decrease in energy. This can happen in rivers, lakes, oceans, deserts, or glaciers.

3. Compaction and Cementation:

* Compaction: As more sediment accumulates, the weight of the overlying layers presses down on the lower layers, squeezing out water and air, and compacting the sediments.

* Cementation: Dissolved minerals in the groundwater precipitate out between the sediment grains, acting as a glue to bind them together. This process forms solid rock.

4. Diagenesis:

* This encompasses all the physical, chemical, and biological changes that occur after the initial deposition and burial of sediments. These changes can include:

* Recrystallization: The original mineral grains can change their shape and size.

* Dissolution and Reprecipitation: Minerals can dissolve and redeposit, altering the rock's composition.

* Bioturbation: The activity of organisms can disrupt and rework sediment layers.

Important Note:

It's important to remember that the process of sedimentary rock formation is continuous and can be influenced by many factors, including climate, tectonics, and biological activity.