Final answer:
Clastic sedimentary rocks are formed from rock and mineral fragments weathered from the Earth's surface. Through weathering and erosion, fragments are transported, deposited, and cemented to create rocks like sandstone and mudstone.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of sedimentary rock that is formed from rock and mineral fragments weathered from rocks at Earth’s surface is known as clastic sedimentary rock. Clastic sedimentary rocks, such as sandstone and mudstone, are created through a series of processes:
- Weathering and erosion break down pre-existing rocks into smaller particles.
- These particles are then transported by elements such as water and wind.
- Eventually, they settle in a new environment where the conditions allow them to accumulate.
- Over time, these accumulated layers of rock fragments are cemented together, forming solid rock.
Fragments often consist predominately of quartz due to its stability and resistance to weathering. Clay minerals like feldspar can also be present, and their quantity can indicate the proximity of the sediment to its source. The entire process of formation of clastic sedimentary rocks represents one of the most common ways in which sedimentary rocks are formed.