Final answer:
Breccia and conglomerate are differ in terms of fragment shape and transportation distance, breccia can form in a fault zones, conglomerate is often associated with river environments.
Step-by-step explanation:
Breccia and conglomerate are both sedimentary rocks composed of fragments, but they differ in the size and angularity of the particles, as well as the environment in which they form.
Breccia:
Composition: Breccia is composed of angular rock fragments that are larger than 2 millimeters in size.
These fragments can vary in composition, and they are typically cemented together by smaller particles, minerals, or chemical cement.
Particle Angularity: The fragments in breccia are angular, meaning their edges and corners are sharp and not rounded.
Formation Environment: Breccia is often associated with environments where there has been significant tectonic activity, such as fault zones or areas of high seismic activity. The angular nature of the fragments suggests that the rocks broke apart relatively close to the site of deposition.
Conglomerate:
Composition: Conglomerate is also composed of rock fragments, but these fragments are rounded and generally larger than 2 millimeters in size.
Like breccia, conglomerate is held together by a matrix of smaller particles or cement.
Particle Angularity: The key characteristic of conglomerate is the rounded nature of its rock fragments, indicating that they have been transported and rounded by processes like river currents or wave action.
Formation Environment: Conglomerates are often associated with environments where there is abundant water flow, such as riverbeds, all uvial fans, or coastal areas.
The rounding of the particles suggests that they have undergone abrasion during transportation.
In summary, the main difference lies in the angularity of the rock fragments and the environments in which these rocks typically form. Breccia forms in areas of tectonic activity where rocks break and are deposited relatively close to their source, while conglomerate forms in environments with significant water flow, where rocks are transported and rounded before deposition.