After they are deposited, sediments such as sand are turned into sedimentary rocks when they are compacted and ___________________________________

cemented together.

Here are the steps:

1. Erosion: The first step is erosion, which is the process of weathering and transport of solids in the natural environment or their source and deposits them elsewhere. It usually occurs due to transport by wind, water, or ice.

2. Deposition: The eroded materials are then deposited by the natural forces like wind or water. This process is called deposition.

3. Compaction: Over time, more and more sediments are deposited over the existing ones, exerting a huge amount of pressure on the lower layers. This pressure compacts the sediments, and this process is known as compaction.

4. Cementation: The final step in the formation of sedimentary rocks is cementation. Here, the sediments are glued together by minerals that are deposited by water. Over time, these minerals crystallize and bind the sediments together, turning them into rock.