metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartzite (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on Mohs scale; colors range from white to gray, pink, or brown; vitreous luster; non-foliated massive structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on Mohs scale; colors range from white to gray, pink, or brown; vitreous luster; non-foliated massive structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone subjected to intense heat and pressure during tectonic metamorphism over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as crushed stone for roads, manufacturing silica brick, and occasionally as an ornamental decorative stone.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely resistant to weathering, which explains why mountains made of quartzite often form prominent ridges.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife and the lack of visible grain boundaries across fractured surfaces.
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