Silt-sized sedimentary particles have diameters between 0.0625 and 0.004 mm. Silt-sized particles are the main components of the Peoria loess that caps the hills in the area. . In this sample, the flakey nature of clay-sized sediments is very evident. Clay is the last of the sediments to be deposited by a stream due to its small grain size. Clays have diameters that are smaller than 0.004 mm.
Clays form an easy to recognize layer dissected by erosion in some segments of Clark Creek.
These blue sediments are part of the unit called the Pascagoula Clay . Cementation Sedimentary particles are often glued together by cements composed of silica, iron oxides, or carbonates. Cemented sediments in the Clark Creek area form the erosion resistant layers that are responsible for the waterfalls . Weathering The breakdown of minerals by weathering often forms new minerals such as the hematite shown here.