sedimentary

Gravel and Pavement Aggregates

Unconsolidated rock fragments / detrital sediments

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness varies by mineral composition (typically Mohs 6-7 for quartz-rich pebbles), colors range from grey, brown, and tan to white, luster is dull to vitreous, varied rounded to sub-angular shapes, specific gravity around 2.65.

Identified August 5, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the mechanical weathering, erosion, transportation, and deposition of pre-existing rocks by rivers, streams, and glacial activity, often subsequently graded and distributed for human landscaping or construction.

Uses & applications

Widely used in civil engineering, road construction, railway ballast, concrete production, and landscaping drainage.

Geological facts

Gravel is classified by particle size ranging from granules (2mm) up to boulders (>256mm) according to the Udden-Wentworth scale. It represents one of the most heavily consumed natural mineral resources in the world.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified on the ground as loose, weathered aggregates mixed with soil and vegetation. Collectors generally do not sample ordinary construction gravel unless specific rare lithologies are present.