Rock the ASBOG Exam 2025 – Dig Deep into Geology Greatness!

Lithification is a geological process that transforms loose sediments into solid rock, typically through the compaction and cementation of those sediments. When sediments accumulate over time, the weight of the overlying material compresses the layers below, which reduces pore space and expels water. During this transition, minerals precipitate from groundwater and fill the spaces between the sediment grains, effectively 'gluing' them together and forming a cohesive rock unit. This process is crucial in the formation of sedimentary rocks, such as sandstone, shale, and limestone, which are essential components of the Earth's crust.

The other options do not accurately describe lithification. The formation of soil pertains to a different process involving the weathering of rocks and organic matter, while the evolution of granite rocks involves processes related to plutonic rock formation, which do not directly relate to sediment compaction or cementation. Cooling of magma refers to igneous processes rather than the sedimentary processes associated with lithification. Thus, identifying lithification as the process of turning sediment into rock highlights its importance in sedimentary geology.