sedimentary
Red Sandstone
Clastic Sedimentary Rock
Hardness on Mohs scale is typically 6 to 7 for quartz-rich varieties; color ranges from reddish-brown to brick red due to iron oxide cement; luster is dull to earthy; crystal structure is clastic with quartz grains cemented together; cleavage is absent.
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Physical properties
Hardness on Mohs scale is typically 6 to 7 for quartz-rich varieties; color ranges from reddish-brown to brick red due to iron oxide cement; luster is dull to earthy; crystal structure is clastic with quartz grains cemented together; cleavage is absent.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments, often in desert or arid environments where iron oxide precipitates as a cement, spanning various geological ages.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction as building stone, paving, and flagging, as well as in monuments and decorative aggregates.
Geological facts
Red sandstone formations often preserve ancient desert dune cross-bedding and sometimes fossilized footprints of prehistoric creatures.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinctive red color and gritty texture, commonly found in stratified sedimentary layers worldwide.
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