Question

What happens to sedimentary layers as they are buried under more layers?

They dissappear
They turn into metamorphic rock
They float
The become compressed

Answer 1

As sedimentary layers are buried under more layers, they **become compressed**. The weight of the overlying sediment increases pressure on the lower layers, causing them to compact and often become lithified, which can eventually lead to the formation of sedimentary rock. This process can also lead to changes in mineral content and structure over time, but the primary immediate effect is compression.