Question

What happens to sedimentary layers as they are buried under more layers?
They disappear
They float
C They turn into metamorphic rock
They become compressed

Answer 1

As sedimentary layers are buried under more layers, they become compressed. Over time, the weight of the overlying material exerts pressure on the buried sediments, leading to compaction. Additionally, with increased burial depth, sedimentary layers can undergo lithification, where they may turn into sedimentary rock through processes such as cementation. In certain conditions, if the temperature and pressure increase significantly, these layers might eventually transform into metamorphic rock. However, the immediate effect of being buried is primarily compression.