Sedimentary Rocks
Pages 162-167
Vocabulary
1. Sediment – tiny particles of material such as minerals, bones, and shells
2. Sedimentary Rocks - formed from sediments that become pressed together in
layers
3. Limestone - forms on the bottoms of oceans
4. Sandstone - made mostly of quartz
5. Conglomerate - formed from larger rocks and pebbles
6. Fossils - remains of animals or plants from long ago
Facts to Know:
 Sediments can be picked up and carried away by water, wind, and ice.
 Sediments are most often carried away by moving water such as streams
and rivers.
 New layers of sediments are dropped on old layers.
 The weight of the top layers squeezes out water and air from the lower
layers to form sedimentary rocks.
 Limestone forms on the bottom of oceans and is usually white
 Many fossils are found in limestone.
 Some sedimentary rocks help us to piece together Earth’s history.
 Fossils in sedimentary rocks can show us what the living things of the
past looked like.
 Conglomerate means “lumped together”
Uses for some Sedimentary Rocks:
Limestone is used for
chalk.
Coal is used for
energy.
Shale is used for
pottery.