sedimentary

Laterite

Fe2O3 and Al2O3 rich residual rock

Mohs hardness varies from 3 to 7 depending on iron content; red, brown, or yellowish-brown color; earthy to dull luster; amorphous crystal structure.

Identified October 25, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Mohs hardness varies from 3 to 7 depending on iron content; red, brown, or yellowish-brown color; earthy to dull luster; amorphous crystal structure.

Formed by intense and prolonged weathering of parent rocks in tropical, wet climates through the leaching of soluble minerals.

Used as a primary ore for aluminum and iron, and cut into blocks for local construction.

Laterite hardens significantly upon exposure to air, which historically made it a popular building material for ancient temples.

Identified by its reddish-brown porous crust, commonly found in tropical regions like India, Australia, and Brazil.

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

Fossiliferous Sedimentary Rock

Sedimentary limestone with invertebrate fossil imprint

Sandstone or Siltstone

Arenite (if sandstone)

Sandstone

Arenite

Shale

Shale (clastic sedimentary rock)

Shale (or Mudstone/Siltstone)

Sedimentary Mudrock (SiO2, Al2O3 base with clay minerals)