Final answer:
The movement of sediment from one place to another due to natural forces like water, wind, and ice is called erosion. This process shapes Earth's surface and contributes to the formation of sedimentary rocks through the deposition and cementing of particles in various environments. Clastic sedimentary rocks are formed by erosion and sedimentation, with quartz being a particularly durable mineral that resists erosion well.
Step-by-step explanation:
The movement of sediment from one place to another is called erosion. This geological process is responsible for shaping the Earth's surface and involves the transport of weathered material by natural forces such as water, wind, and ice. When a river erodes material in its upper course, it carries the sediment downstream and eventually deposits it in calmer areas like floodplains in a process known as sedimentation. Similarly, the formation of sedimentary rocks such as conglomerates, sandstones, siltstones, and shales occurs through the deposition and cementing of these particles in various environments, like riverbeds, ocean floors, and deltas.
Sedimentary rocks are often formed from sediments that have been eroded from pre-existing rocks and then deposited and compacted over time. Clastic sedimentary rocks, for example, are made from particles carried by water or air until they settle in an area with less energy to carry them. Among these rocks, quartz shows the greatest resistance to abrasion during the erosion process, indicating its durability compared to other minerals.
Each location where sediments are deposited, known as a depositional environment, varies in terms of conditions and the type of sediments that can accumulate there. These environments are classified into continental, marine, and transitional. As these sediments build up, they can form distinct layers of sedimentary rocks that tell a story about the Earth's past environmental conditions.