sedimentary

Laterite with Quartz Vein

Ferrallitic soil / Laterite

Hardness varies from 3 to 7 due to quartz inclusions, red-brown to yellowish color, earthy to vitreous luster, amorphous to crystalline.

Identified November 14, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness varies from 3 to 7 due to quartz inclusions, red-brown to yellowish color, earthy to vitreous luster, amorphous to crystalline.

Formed by intense weathering of underlying rocks in tropical regions, leaching soluble minerals and leaving iron and aluminum oxides.

Used locally as a building stone (laterite blocks), road construction aggregate, and as an ore for iron and aluminum.

Laterite is rich in iron oxides, giving it the characteristic rusty red color. It hardens significantly upon exposure to air.

Commonly found in tropical regions like Central Africa. Identify by its reddish porous matrix enclosing quartz fragments.

Fossil-bearing concretion, possibly containing a fossil shell or other organic inclusion

Calcareous concretion; exact fossil and host-rock composition are not identifiable from the image

Sandstone or Siltstone

Arenite (if sandstone)

Fossiliferous Sedimentary Rock

Sedimentary limestone with invertebrate fossil imprint

Shale

Fissile Sedimentary Rock

Sandstone

Arenite

Shale

Clastic sedimentary rock