clastic sedimentation

Clastic sedimentation occurs when particles like sand, silt, and clay, worn away from rocks and minerals, are transported by water, wind, or ice and eventually settle out in a new location. Over time, these particles accumulate and become compacted and cemented together, forming sedimentary rocks. This process is essential in the rock cycle, creating formations such as sandstone and shale. It reflects Earth's ongoing deposition and layering of materials, shaping landscapes and recording geological history.