Which type of rock is formed from eroded products of preexisting rocks?

The formation of sedimentary rock is a key process in the rock cycle, characterized primarily by the accumulation and lithification of eroded materials from preexisting rocks. These eroded products, known as sediments, can originate from various types of rocks—igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary itself. Over time, weathering and erosion break down these rocks into smaller particles, which are then transported by wind, water, or ice.

As these sediments settle in layers, often in bodies of water, they undergo compaction and cementation, transforming them into solid sedimentary rock. This process captures not just mineral fragments but also organic material and chemical precipitates, giving sedimentary rocks a diverse range of appearances and compositions. Examples include sandstone, limestone, and shale, all of which clearly illustrate how sedimentary rocks are derived from the breakdown of previously existing rocks.

In contrast, while metamorphic rocks form through the alteration of existing rocks under heat and pressure, and igneous rocks emerge from the cooling and solidification of molten material, these processes do not involve the direct accumulation of eroded materials. Volcanic rock is a subtype of igneous rock formed by volcanic activity and is also unrelated to the erosion of preexisting rocks. Thus,