Detritus (; adj. ''detrital'' ) is particles of
rock derived from pre-existing rock through
weathering
Weathering is the deterioration of rocks, soils and minerals (as well as wood and artificial materials) through contact with water, atmospheric gases, sunlight, and biological organisms. It occurs '' in situ'' (on-site, with little or no move ...
and
erosion
Erosion is the action of surface processes (such as Surface runoff, water flow or wind) that removes soil, Rock (geology), rock, or dissolved material from one location on the Earth's crust#Crust, Earth's crust and then sediment transport, tran ...
.
[Essentials of Geology, 3rd Ed, Stephen Marshak, p G-7] A fragment of detritus is called a
clast.
[Essentials of Geology, 3rd Ed, Stephen Marshak, p G-5] Detrital particles can consist of
lithic fragments (particles of recognisable rock), or of monomineralic fragments (mineral grains). These particles are often transported through
sedimentary
Sedimentary rocks are types of rock formed by the cementation of sediments—i.e. particles made of minerals (geological detritus) or organic matter (biological detritus)—that have been accumulated or deposited at Earth's surface. Sedime ...
processes into depositional systems such as riverbeds, lakes or the ocean, forming sedimentary successions.
Diagenetic processes can transform these sediments into rock through
cementation and
lithification
Lithification (from the Ancient Greek word ''lithos'' meaning 'rock' and the Latin-derived suffix ''-ific'') is the process in which sediments compact under pressure, expel connate fluids, and gradually become solid rock. Essentially, lithificati ...
, forming sedimentary rocks such as sandstone. These rocks can then in turn again be weathered and eroded to form a second generation of sediment. Detrital grains commonly weather at different rates, according to the
Goldich dissolution series, which dictates that early crystallizing minerals are less stable at the Earth's surface than late crystallizing minerals.
References
External links
Illinois State Geological Survey - Glossary of Geologic Terms
Sedimentology
eo:Gruzo (geologio)
he:דטריטי (גאולוגיה)
ja:砕屑物
{{Sedimentology-stub