Diagenesis

Diagenesis refers to the physical and chemical changes that occur in sediments after they are deposited and during their transformation into sedimentary rock. This process includes compaction, where the weight of overlying materials compresses sediments, and cementation, where minerals precipitate from water moving through the sediments, binding particles together. Diagenesis helps preserve fossils and influences the properties of rocks, such as their porosity and permeability. It is a crucial part of the geological cycle, impacting the overall formation and characteristics of sedimentary environments over time.