sedimentary basin

A sedimentary basin is a large, low-lying area of the Earth's crust where sediments accumulate over time. These sediments, which can be made up of particles like sand, silt, and clay, come from the erosion of rocks and organic materials. As layers build up, they can trap resources like oil, gas, and groundwater. The weight of the overlying sediments can cause the basin to sink further, creating more space for additional layers. This process plays a crucial role in the geological history of an area and is essential for understanding natural resource distribution.