sedimentary
Sandstone (Red Sandstone)
Clastic Sedimentary Rock (primarily SiO2 with Iron Oxide)
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pink to reddish-brown with yellow/tan bedding; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Crystal structure: Granular/Clastic; Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.2-2.8
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Pink to reddish-brown with yellow/tan bedding
- Luster
- Dull/Earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pink to reddish-brown with yellow/tan bedding; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Crystal structure: Granular/Clastic; Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.2-2.8
Formation & geological history
Formed by the accumulation and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments (sand) in high-energy environments like deserts, river beds, or beaches. The red color suggests deposition in an oxygen-rich terrestrial environment where iron minerals oxidized.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in construction as a building stone (dimension stone), pavers, and for decorative landscaping. It is also a key reservoir rock for groundwater, oil, and natural gas.
Geological facts
Red sandstone was the primary material used to build the 'Red Fort' in Delhi and many famous buildings in the American Southwest and the United Kingdom. It often preserves cross-bedding and ripple marks from ancient environments.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its gritty, sandpaper-like texture and visible bedding planes or layers. It often feels abrasive to the touch and can be scratched with a steel blade if it is poorly cemented, though the quartz grains themselves are hard.
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