ASBOG Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Sedimentation is a fundamental geological process that involves the accumulation of particles over time. The key element in this process is the transport of particles and their subsequent deposition. In sedimentation, sediments, which can include minerals, organic matter, and other particulate materials, are typically moved by water, wind, or ice. Once the transporting medium loses energy, these particles settle out and accumulate, forming layers of sediment.

Understanding the mechanism of transport is crucial, as it dictates how and where sediment will be deposited. For example, in a river system, sediment is transported downstream by the current. As the water slows—perhaps in a delta area or at the confluence of two streams—sediments are deposited, eventually forming sedimentary rock layers.

The other options do not capture the essential aspect of sedimentation. While heat and pressure can play a role in lithification (the process of turning sediment into rock), they are not the defining characteristics of sedimentation itself. Water and organic materials are often involved in the process, but they are not the core mechanism that describes how sediment accumulates. Compression and rotation do not pertain to sedimentation as they relate more to structural geological processes rather than the settling of sediments. Understanding the transport and deposition of particles provides a