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Where are sedimentary rocks most commonly located on the surface of the Earth?
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sedimentary rock
Figure 1: Chemical composition of sedimentary rocks.
Sedimentary rocks are most commonly found on the surface of the Earth, covering about 75% of the land surface and over 90% of the ocean basins and continental margins. While they form a thin superficial layer, they are crucial for understanding Earth's history, containing fossils and evidence of ancient geography. These rocks are formed by the accumulation and lithification of sediment, which originates from the weathering of pre-existing rocks. Sedimentary environments include marine settings (like nearshore and deep ocean zones), mixed marine and nonmarine areas (such as beaches), and nonmarine settings (like river deltas and alluvial fans).12