Lithogenous sediments consist of mineral grains that originate from the weathering of rocks and are transported to different oceans by forces such as gravity, running water, wind, and ice movement. Lithogenous sediments come from preexisting rock material that end up on islands or continents due to dust, volcanic eruptions and erosion. These sediments are often referred to as terrigenous sediments, terra meaning earth. Lithigenous sediments are the most abundant type of sediment on Earth.
Examples of lithogenous sediment include volcanogenic sediments, glacial marine sediments, and abyssal clays. Volcanogenic sediments are found near convergent volcanic arcs or hot spots. Glacial marine sediments are at high latitude regions but generally vary within depths depending on iceberg locations. Abyssal clays, unlike most lithogenous sediments, are located far from continents and in deep ocean basins.
Origin
Lithogenous sediment starts off as rock. Over long periods of time, weathering agents like chemical effects, water, and extreme temperatures break rocks into pieces. After, these rocks are eroded and later transported to form lithogenous sediments. Glaciers, streams, wind, and gravity carry the eroded material towards oceans. The sediment reaches deposits such as lagoons and bays. Turbidity currents can at times carry them to deep-ocean basins.
Most lithogenous material is located at continental margins, slopes, and shelves at high latitude regions.
Composition
At continental margins, lithogenous sediments are composed of quartz sand, quartz silt, rock fragments, and clay. Oceanic lithogenous sediments are made up of volcanic ash, quartz silt and clay. Lithogenous sediments reflect the material from which they are derived and are mostly crustal material. They tend to be coarse-grained. An exception to this are abyssal clays, which are usually fine-grained.
Distribution
Lithogenous sediments are typically distributed along continental margins and in deep ocean. Also, turbidites are usually on abyssal plains and continental rises. Marine sediments can either be neritic or pelagic.
Neritic deposits are coarse-grained and found on continental shelves and in shallow island waters. Examples include turbidite deposits, glacial deposits, beach deposits, and continental shelf deposits.
Pelagic deposits are fine-grained and located at deep-ocean basins. They come from windblown dust, volcanic eruptions, and fine material from deep-ocean currents.
Examples of lithogenous sediment include volcanogenic sediments, glacial marine sediments, and abyssal clays. Volcanogenic sediments are found near convergent volcanic arcs or hot spots. Glacial marine sediments are at high latitude regions but generally vary within depths depending on iceberg locations. Abyssal clays, unlike most lithogenous sediments, are located far from continents and in deep ocean basins.
Origin
Lithogenous sediment starts off as rock. Over long periods of time, weathering agents like chemical effects, water, and extreme temperatures break rocks into pieces. After, these rocks are eroded and later transported to form lithogenous sediments. Glaciers, streams, wind, and gravity carry the eroded material towards oceans. The sediment reaches deposits such as lagoons and bays. Turbidity currents can at times carry them to deep-ocean basins.
Most lithogenous material is located at continental margins, slopes, and shelves at high latitude regions.
Composition
At continental margins, lithogenous sediments are composed of quartz sand, quartz silt, rock fragments, and clay. Oceanic lithogenous sediments are made up of volcanic ash, quartz silt and clay. Lithogenous sediments reflect the material from which they are derived and are mostly crustal material. They tend to be coarse-grained. An exception to this are abyssal clays, which are usually fine-grained.
Distribution
Lithogenous sediments are typically distributed along continental margins and in deep ocean. Also, turbidites are usually on abyssal plains and continental rises. Marine sediments can either be neritic or pelagic.
Neritic deposits are coarse-grained and found on continental shelves and in shallow island waters. Examples include turbidite deposits, glacial deposits, beach deposits, and continental shelf deposits.
Pelagic deposits are fine-grained and located at deep-ocean basins. They come from windblown dust, volcanic eruptions, and fine material from deep-ocean currents.