When grains move closer together, eliminating spaces between them, compaction has occurred. Compaction is the process where grains are pressed closer together, reducing the pore spaces between them. This happens typically in sedimentary rocks where the weight of overlying sediments squeezes the grains together, causing them to compact.
Examples of compaction can be seen in the formation of rocks like shale, where the fine particles are compacted together under pressure, leading to the solidification of the rock over time. This process plays a significant role in the formation of sedimentary rocks and can affect the porosity and permeability of the rock, influencing its properties and behavior.
