lithification

Lithification is the natural process that transforms loose sediments, like sand or clay, into solid rock. It involves two main steps: compaction, where layers of sediments are pressed together under the weight of overlying material, reducing pore spaces; and cementation, where minerals dissolved in water crystallize between particles, glueing them together. Over time, these processes solidify sediments into sedimentary rock. Lithification is fundamental in the rock cycle, preserving organic material and shaping Earth's surface features.