Where is Weathered Sedimentary Rock found?
Sedimentary rock (unspecified type, heavily weathered)
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Open the appWeathered Sedimentary Rock occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Weathered Sedimentary Rock
Global
Weathered sedimentary rocks are ubiquitous across all continents, particularly in regions with long-term subaerial exposure and active weathering regimes. They are found wherever sedimentary rocks are exposed at the Earth's surface.
Humid Tropical Regions
Extensive weathering profiles, including saprolites and laterites derived from sedimentary rocks, are common in humid tropical and subtropical zones (e.g., Amazon Basin, Central Africa, Southeast Asia, parts of Australia) due to high temperatures and abundant rainfall.
Temperate Regions
Weathered sedimentary rocks are also common in temperate zones, though weathering profiles may be less deep than in tropical regions. Examples include weathered shales and sandstones in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Collecting tips
- Look for Disintegration. Identify areas where sedimentary rocks appear crumbly, friable, or easily broken apart by hand. This indicates physical weathering.
- Observe Color Changes. Note any significant color changes from the unweathered rock, especially reddish, yellowish, or brownish hues, which suggest oxidation of iron-bearing minerals.
- Check for Clayey Texture. Feel the rock. If it has a soft, earthy, or clayey feel, it suggests chemical weathering and the formation of clay minerals.
- Examine Outcrop Profiles. Look at vertical exposures (e.g., road cuts). You can often observe a gradual transition from fresh, unweathered rock at depth to heavily weathered rock near the surface.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Dull, earthy, variable (reddish, yellowish, grey, mottled)
- Luster:
- Earthy to dull
- Streak:
- Variable, often light-colored (white, pale yellow, pale brown) if dominated by clay minerals; reddish-brown if rich in iron oxides.
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