What type of rock is produced from the eroded remains of existing rocks?

Sedimentary rock is formed from the accumulation and consolidation of material that has been eroded from existing rocks. This process involves weathering, where the original rocks break down into smaller particles, which can include sand, silt, clay, or gravel. These particles are then transported by wind, water, or ice and eventually settle in layers. Over time, pressure and mineral cementation lead to the lithification of these sediments, transforming them into sedimentary rock.

This process is fundamental to the rock cycle, highlighting how sedimentary rocks serve as a record of the Earth's geological history through the layers of materials they contain. Unlike igneous rocks, which crystallize from molten material, or metamorphic rocks, which are transformed from existing rocks through heat and pressure, sedimentary rocks are directly related to the remnants of other rocks that have undergone erosion. Crystalline rock is a more general term and does not specifically refer to a type of rock formed from eroded materials but rather describes a texture found in various rock types.