How do sedimentary rocks typically form?

Sedimentary rocks typically form from the accumulation and lithification of sediments, which can include fragments of pre-existing rocks, organic materials, minerals, and other sediments. This process often occurs in layers, where particles are deposited by wind, water, or ice in various environments, such as riverbeds, lakes, and ocean floors. Over time, these layers are compacted and cemented together, transforming loose sediments into solid rock. This formation process contrasts with volcanic or metamorphic processes, which involve different origins and mechanisms.

The formation of sedimentary rocks through the accumulation of sediments makes them unique, as they often contain fossils and provide valuable information about the Earth's history and environmental conditions at the time of their formation.