Sedimentary rock is formed when sediments produced through weathering and erosion are turned into rock by the process of lithification. Lithification itself consists of two separate processes.
- Compaction: Continued periods of weathering and erosion result in layers of sediment that slowly build up on top of one another. Over time, the pressure from the weight of these layers squeezes the sediment particles together until solid sedimentary rock is formed. This process is known as compaction.
- Cementation: Dissolved minerals can also move into the spaces between particles in sediments. These minerals, in a process known as cementation, act as a natural glue or cement between the particles. This process of “cementing” the sediment particles together also results in the formation of sedimentary rock.
The exterior of the Empire State Building in New York City uses limestone, a sedimentary rock.
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Gravel is a loose collection of smaller rocks and particles.
It’s the Pits! Can You Locate It?
Gravel is a type of sedimentary rock that consists of a mixture of smaller rocks and particles that have been weathered and eroded from larger rocks. In this activity you will attempt to locate a large gravel pit that is situated on a very unique island.
The Great Lakes collectively represent the largest group of freshwater lakes on the planet, both by surface area and by total volume. The Great Lakes hold 1/5 of the world’s fresh water.
- Click here to go to the Great Lakes
- What is the only Great Lake not to share an international border between the U.S. and Canada? Lake Michigan does not share an international border between the U.S. and Canada. It is completely within the boundaries of the United States.
Manitoulin Island, in the Great Lakes, is a very unique island. It is the world’s largest freshwater island.
- Examine the Great Lakes carefully, and attempt to locate Manitoulin Island.
- Click here to verify your location of Manitoulin Island.
- In which Great Lake does Manitoulin Island reside? Manitoulin Island is in the northern part of Lake Huron.
- In which country/countries does Manitoulin Island lie? Manitoulin Island lies completely in Canada (in the province of Ontario).
Manitoulin Island is not only the largest freshwater island in the world; it is also home to the largest gravel pit in Ontario.
- Inspect Manitoulin Island carefully, and zoom in on the gravel pit when you believe that you have located it.
- Click here to check the actual location of the Manitoulin Quarry, Ontario’s largest gravel pit.
Manitoulin Island possesses yet another unusual characteristic. It is also home to Lake Manitou, which is the largest lake (10 km2/40.5 square miles) on a freshwater island anywhere in the world.
- Locate Lake Manitou, and zoom in on it when you have found it.
- Click here to verify the location of Lake Manitou.