Which type of rock is formed under pressure from deposited small particles?

Sedimentary rock is formed from the accumulation and compaction of small particles, such as minerals, organic material, and fragments of other rocks, that have been deposited over time. As these particles settle in various environments, they undergo lithification, which involves compaction due to the weight of additional layers above and the cementation process, where minerals precipitate from water and fill the spaces between the particles. This process can take thousands to millions of years, resulting in distinct layers and often preserving fossils or evidence of past environments.

Igneous rock, on the other hand, originates from the solidification of molten material, either from magma below the earth's surface or from lava that erupts. Metamorphic rock is formed when existing rock types are altered by heat and pressure, without the rock melting, often resulting in textural and mineralogical changes. Basalt rock is a specific type of igneous rock that is formed from the rapid cooling of lava at the earth's surface. Each of these types of rock has a different formation process and context within the rock cycle, but only sedimentary rock is specifically characterized by being formed from deposited particles under pressure.