In this knowledge-rich series of knowing rocks, we are going to know Conglomerate rocks, which is a kind of sedimentary rocks and have some commercial values in different industries, particularly in construction businesses.

What Type of Rock Is Conglomerate 

In geology, conglomerate considers as a Clastic Rock. Here, clastic derived from the Clasts. The gravel-size pebbles, which are greater than 2 mm in diameter termed as Clasts.

When the Matrix made of sand, silt, and clay particles and filled the gaps between clasts and also glue the clasts objects together, the formation of conglomerate takes place.

What Is Conglomerate Made Of?

The composition of conglomerate rocks have two major components:

Clasts:

In conglomerate rocks, the main framework grains are clasts, and those are always in rounded or semi-rounded in shapes. [If clasts in a sedimentary rock have sharp corners, it is known as Breccia.] If a mixture of both kinds of clasts occurs in sedimentary rock, it refers as Breccio—Conglomerate Rock.

• Rounded clasts may be mineral particles including Feldspar or Quartz.
• The clasts may be fragments of Metamorphic or Igneous rocks.
• The most common rocks forming clasts are 
  • Quarzite
  • Sandstone 
  • Limestone 
  • Granite 
  • Basalt
  • Gneiss 

Matrix:

The following components are forming a matrix of the conglomerate rocks. 

• Sand
• Silt
• Clay/mud
• Chemical cement

Cementing chemicals like NaCl and CaO bind the clasts together.

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