Final answer:
The study of sedimentary rocks and their formation is referred to as stratigraphy, which is a branch of geology involving the analysis of rock layers, including sedimentary and sometimes volcanic rocks, to understand the Earth's history and locate natural resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study of sedimentary rocks and their formation is called stratigraphy. Stratigraphy is a branch of geology that focuses on the study of rock layers and layering. It covers sedimentary and sometimes volcanic rocks and includes subfields such as lithostratigraphy and biostratigraphy. The former concentrates on strata or rock layers while the latter uses fossils to determine depositional environments and the age of sediment. This field is crucial in understanding geological time and processes that lead to the formation of sedimentary rocks.
Stratigraphers make use of techniques such as outcrop observations, sediment core collection, and seismic surveys to study the Earth's stratigraphic layers. For example, seismic surveys send sound waves into the Earth and monitor how they reflect back to identify features like rock types and potential resources below the surface. The information gathered from these methods can reveal a great deal about the Earth's history and are essential for finding natural resources.