Sedimentary rocks can be useful in determining the post depositional history of the earth. After going through the sedimentary process (weathering, erosion, transportation and deposition), sediments retain (physical, chemical and biological) signatures that reflect the condition of the environment.
The texture (size, shape, form, roundness and fabric) gives information on paleo-depositional energy and the distance between the source and sink.
Only sedimentary rocks have abundant fossils and trace fossils which useful tools for paleo-ecology and pale of environmental reconstruction .
Geochemical studies of sedimentary rocks have also be shown as a tool for determining the earth history
Stratigraphy involves the use of a set of principles to study and and determine the age and history of stratified sedimentary rocks
Relative dating techniques using the Principles of stratigraphy is the most important technique in the determination of the post depositional earth history.
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