metamorphic
Quartzite
Metamorphic Quartz Sandstone (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 7 on Mohs scale; colors range from white to pink and gray; non-foliated texture; vitreous to dull luster.
Identified More metamorphic →
Explore Quartzite in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale; colors range from white to pink and gray; non-foliated texture; vitreous to dull luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed from quartz-rich sandstone subjected to intense heat and pressure during tectonic compression, typically over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction as crushed stone, railroad ballast, and dimension stone, as well as in the manufacture of silica brick.
Geological facts
Quartzite is extremely durable and weather-resistant, often forming prominent mountain ridges because it erodes much slower than surrounding rocks.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by steel and the way it fractures across quartz grains rather than around them. Found globally in ancient mountain belts.
More like this
