Author Question: Explain how the intrusive igneous rock granite can be broken down from a crystalline igneous rock to ... (Read 162 times)

james · **on:** Jul 16, 2018

Explain how the intrusive igneous rock granite can be broken down from a crystalline igneous rock to a sediment and then finally become a sedimentary rock.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Explain how the size, shape, and sorting of sediments can provide information about the distance the sediment has traveled from its source.

What will be an ideal response?

jjorrostieta · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 16, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: Granite forms as a batholith several miles from the surface. The batholith is uplifted and exposed via tectonism. Granite is broken into sediments via mechanical and physical weathering. Weathered sediments are transported and deposited in a new location. These sediments are buried by subsequent layers of sediments, compacting them. The sediments will eventually be cemented to form a sedimentary rock.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: When sediments are first weathered from their source rock, they are angular and poorly sorted and consist of a variety of sizes. However, as they travel, they impact against each other or against bedrock, a process that rounds down the sharp corners and wears down the sediment size. Sediments that are finer, well rounded, and well sorted indicate that the sediments have traveled a long way from the source.