metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Rock (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically reddish-brown to pink due to iron oxide impurities, vitreous to greasy luster, and a dense, interlocking crystalline structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically reddish-brown to pink due to iron oxide impurities, vitreous to greasy luster, and a dense, interlocking crystalline structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed under intense heat and pressure when quartz-rich sandstone is subjected to regional metamorphism, fusing the quartz grains together.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction for road aggregate, railroad ballast, and decorative building stone, as well as for manufacturing silica brick.
Geological facts
Quartzite is exceptionally durable and weather-resistant, often outlasting the mountains it forms as ridges erode slowly.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and its characteristic sugary fracture surface; commonly found in mountain belts worldwide.
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