What do voids most commonly refer to in sedimentary geology?

Voids in sedimentary geology primarily refer to the spaces or openings found between sedimentary particles. These voids can be critical for understanding the porosity and permeability of sedimentary rocks. Porosity is the measure of how much of a rock is open space, which affects how fluids move through the rock, making it essential for various applications such as groundwater studies, petroleum geology, and engineering projects.

In sedimentary environments, these voids can be filled with water, air, or other materials, and their presence plays a significant role in the physical characteristics of the rock, influencing its ability to hold resources like water and hydrocarbons. High porosity typically indicates a higher potential for storing these fluids.

The other options refer to different geological features or processes that do not align with the common definition of voids in sedimentary contexts. Cracks from thermal expansion, volcanic deposits, and tectonic structures, while important in their respective fields, do not pertain to the concept of voids found between sediment particles in sedimentary geology.