Carboniferous sandstone. Cut surface of sandstone, the most common type of sedimentary rock, showing horizontal \bedding\" layers. All rocks are ultim

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Carboniferous sandstone. Cut surface of sandstone, the most common type of sedimentary rock, showing horizontal \bedding\" layers. All rocks are ultim- ately broken down into finer and finer particles, before being carried by river to the ocean and deposited as sand. The sand builds up in layers in shallow seas, estuaries and deltas, with deeper layers eventually becoming compacted into sand- stone. The different-coloured horizontal beds in this sample reflect periods when environmental changes altered the composition of the sediments. This UK sandstone was formed during the Carbonif- erous period (345-280 million years ago). Magnification at 35mm size."

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Size: 3663px × 5207px
Photo credit: © GEORGE BERNARD/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: carboniferous, earth, geology, geomorphology, rock, rocks, sandstone, science, sedimentary, type