ASBOG Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Ace Your Geology Licensure!

Sedimentary rock is formed through the processes of compaction and cementation of sediments. When sediments, which often include particles of minerals, organic material, and fragments of other rocks, accumulate in layers, they become compacted under the weight of overlying materials. This compression causes the particles to bond together, often aided by minerals that act as a cement. Over time, these processes create sedimentary rocks, which are typically characterized by distinct layers and can include types such as sandstone, shale, and limestone.

In contrast, igneous rocks are formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava, while metamorphic rocks arise from the alteration of existing rocks due to heat, pressure, or chemically active fluids without the rock melting. Granite, specifically, is a type of intrusive igneous rock made up primarily of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Thus, sedimentary rock is the correct answer, as it is the only type that directly results from the compression of sediments.