metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Arenite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically brown, tan, or white with a vitreous to greasy luster and non-foliated massive structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, typically brown, tan, or white with a vitreous to greasy luster and non-foliated massive structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the thermal metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under high temperatures and pressures deep within the Earth's crust.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction, as crushed stone for road bases, in manufacturing refractory bricks, and occasionally as decorative stone.
Geological facts
Quartzite is exceptionally resistant to weathering, which explains why mountains made of quartzite often stand out as high ridges.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and the way it fractures across rather than around quartz grains.
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