sedimentary
Sandstone
Arenite (composed primarily of SiO2)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Tan, yellow, or buff; Luster: Dull or earthy; Crystal structure: Clastic (granular); Cleavage: None (breaks across grains); Specific gravity: 2.2-2.8
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Tan, yellow, or buff
- Luster
- Dull or earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Tan, yellow, or buff; Luster: Dull or earthy; Crystal structure: Clastic (granular); Cleavage: None (breaks across grains); Specific gravity: 2.2-2.8
Formation & geological history
Formed through the accumulation and cementation of sand-sized mineral grains or rock fragments. Typically deposited in desert, river, or coastal environments over millions of years through lithification.
Uses & applications
Widely used as a construction material for masonry and paving, a reservoir rock for petroleum and groundwater, and a source of silica for glass manufacturing.
Geological facts
Sandstone accounts for roughly 20 to 25 percent of all sedimentary rocks in the Earth's crust. Famous formations include the Antelope Canyon in Arizona and the red sandstone of the Grand Canyon.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its gritty 'sandpaper' texture and visible layered bedding planes. It is commonly found in basins or arid regions; a drop of dilute acid can help identify if the 'cement' holding the grains together is calcite.
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