What is the difference between diagenesis and lithification? They both form rocks; do they have the same general meaning or do they form at different times under different conditions?

-- Kelly Wirth (kwirth@oswego.edu), March 29, 2001

Answers

Diagenesis is a term that refers to any process that occurs in sediments after they are deposited, such as cementation, compaction, dissolution and recrystallization. Lithification refers to the solidification of dirt into a solid sedimentary rock. Not all diagenetic processes result in lithification; a good example of that is dissolution, which removes material rather than holding it together.

Lithification and diagenesis typically occur when sediments are buried below the surface, sometimes hundreds of meters to a few kilometers deep.

-- Sharon Gabel` (gabel@oswego.edu), April 03, 2001.