sedimentary environments

Sedimentary environments are natural settings where sediment—like sand, mud, or gravel—accumulates over time. These environments can include riverbanks, lakes, deserts, and ocean floors. Each environment influences the type of sediment deposited and how it's layered. For example, rivers carry and deposit materials differently than oceans due to their flow and energy. Understanding these environments helps scientists interpret Earth's history, including past climates, ecosystems, and how geological features formed. Essentially, they are the places where the building blocks of rocks are created and stored.