Uploaded April 2020 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The composition of sediment depends on the host rocks and the weathering processes. When chemical weathering occurs, it affects some minerals more than others - the reactivity of minerals varies significantly. Minerals that tend to be stable at high pressures and temperatures are less stable in the presence of water. In contrast, quartz is very resistant to alteration. In this video, I provide a summary of which common minerals alter the fastest.
The composition of sediment depends on the host rocks and the weathering processes. When chemical weathering occurs, it affects some minerals more than others - the reactivity of minerals varies significantly. Minerals that tend to be stable at high pressures and temperatures are less stable in the presence of water. In contrast, quartz is very resistant to alteration. In this video, I provide a summary of which common minerals alter the fastest.
