Sedimentary rocks cover approximately 75% of the Earth’s surface. These rocks are formed from the accumulation and compaction of mineral and organic particles over time. They are often found in layers, which can provide valuable information about the Earth’s history, including past climates and environments.
Sedimentary rocks are primarily composed of materials such as sand, silt, and clay, which are transported by wind, water, or ice. Over time, these materials are deposited in basins and eventually lithified into rock. Common examples of sedimentary rocks include sandstone, limestone, and shale.
Despite covering a large portion of the Earth’s surface, sedimentary rocks make up only about 5% of the Earth’s crust by volume. This is because they are typically found in the upper layers of the crust, while the deeper layers are dominated by igneous and metamorphic rocks.