Compaction happens when sediments are deeply buried, placing them under pressure because of the weight of overlying layers. This squashes the grains together more tightly. Cementation is where new minerals stick the grains together – just as cement (from a bag) binds sand grains in a bricklayer's mortar.

What is the difference between compaction and cementation quizlet?

What is the difference between compaction and cementation? Compaction occurs when sediment is squeezed together by the weight of other sediment above it, and cementation occurs when sediment is cemented together by dissolved minerals.

What is the difference between cementation and deposition?

As more sediment is deposited, it stacks up in layers. ... This causes sediments to pack closer together in a process called compaction. Through the process of cementation, minerals from groundwater form between sediment grains, connecting the grains together to form rock.