sediment | Energy Glossary

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sediment

1. n. [Geology]

The unconsolidated grains of minerals, organic matter or preexisting rocks, that can be transported by water, ice or wind, and deposited. The processes by which sediment forms and is transported occur at or near the surface of the Earth and at relatively low pressures and temperatures. Sedimentary rocks form from the accumulation and lithification of sediment. Sediments are classified according to size by the Udden-Wentworth scale.

See related terms: alluvialalluviumarenaceousargillaceousbedBouma sequencecalichechannelclastic sedimentclaycompactionconsolidatedcubic packingdeltadepocenterdepositdepositdepositional energydepositional environmentdepositional systemdetritaldiagenesisdiatomitedifferential compactiondipping bedeolianfeldsparhiatuslacustrinemarinemineralpaludalpoint barreefsalt domesedimentationsortingsubsidenceterrestrialturbidity currentUdden-Wentworth scalevarve

Clastic sediment
Schematic diagram of sediments and Udden-Wentworth scale.