The Lake Environment
The illustration above shows the formation of clastic sedimentary rocks in
a calm-water, lake environment. Rivers transport weathered rock fragments depositing
them in temporary base level lakes. Given enough time and, if the lake is deep
enough to allow for many layers of sediment capable of compacting fragments
at depth, lower portions of deposition can lithify into sedimentary rocks.
Minerals, such as quartz, calcite and hematite that are dissolved in the water
act as a natural cement, binding the rock fragments and assisting in the lithification
process.
Similarly, sedimentary rocks can form in other large and deep bodies of water
such as the Gulf of Mexico, estuaries and, to a degree, even on the bottom of
deep rivers.
