Answer to Question 1
Answer: As sediment accumulates, older sediment compacts under the weight of overlying younger sediment. Compaction packs sediment grains closer together, facilitating particle clumping because of weak electrical attractions between mineral-grain surfaces. Strong, hard sedimentary rocks form when cementing minerals precipitate in the spaces between sediment grains. Calcite, quartz, clay minerals, and hematite are the most important mineral cements.
Answer to Question 2
Answer: Plate tectonic forces form basins that accumulate the sediment eroded from mountains. The composition of the sediment reveals the nature of the rocks in the original sediment source region, possibly uplifted by tectonic activity. The depositional environments of the sedimentary rock reveal ancient landscapes and seascapes that resulted from tectonic processes
Bhimbetka rock painting showing man riding on horse, India
The Number of Children Americans Think Are Ideal
Hydrogenous Sediment
Determining Numerical Dates for Sedimentary Strata
Loose Connective Tissue