meteoric diagenesis

Meteoric diagenesis refers to the processes that occur in sediments when they are infiltrated by freshwater derived from surface water—such as rainwater or groundwater from precipitation. This freshwater interacts with buried sediments, causing chemical reactions that can alter mineral content, porosity, and structure. These changes typically happen at shallow depths and can lead to the formation of new minerals or the dissolution of existing ones, affecting the rock's durability and features. Essentially, meteoric diagenesis shapes the evolving chemistry and physical properties of sediments as they become solid rock.