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Diagenesis identification and geology

All physical, chemical, and biological changes that occur in sediment after deposition and during and after lithification, at temperatures and pressures below those that define metamorphism typically <200°C and <300 MPa . Diagenetic processes include compaction, cementation, recrystallization, replacement, dissolution, and authigenic mineral growth. Diagenesis transforms loose sediment into rock and can significantly alter porosity, permeability, and mineral composition. Field: sedimentology. Example: Diagenetic dolomitization of the Niagaran reef complex in Michigan converted original calcite to dolomite, creating secondary porosity that now hosts significant oil and gas reservoirs.. Related terms: Lithification, Cementation, Compaction, Authigenic.

Sources, scope & corrections

These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.

Editorial owner
GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T15:19:41.999576+00:00
Review status
Published; not independently peer-reviewed
  • USGS Thesaurus — U.S. Geological Survey. Controlled earth-science terminology used to describe USGS information resources.
  • Glossary of Geologic Terms — U.S. National Park Service. Geologic definitions prepared by the NPS Geologic Resources Inventory.

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Common questions

What does Diagenesis mean in geology?
All physical, chemical, and biological changes that occur in sediment after deposition and during and after lithification, at temperatures and pressures below those that define metamorphism typically <200°C and <300 MPa . Diagenetic processes include compaction, cementation, recrystallization, replacement, dissolution, and authigenic mineral growth. Diagenesis transforms loose sediment into rock and can significantly alter porosity, permeability, and mineral composition.
What is an example of Diagenesis?
Diagenetic dolomitization of the Niagaran reef complex in Michigan converted original calcite to dolomite, creating secondary porosity that now hosts significant oil and gas reservoirs.
Which earth-science field uses the term Diagenesis?
Diagenesis is used in sedimentology.
Which terms are related to Diagenesis?
Related terms in this reference are Lithification, Cementation, Compaction, Authigenic.

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