sedimentary

Red sandstone

Quartz arenite to arkosic sandstone, commonly Navajo Sandstone-like

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically 6–7 Mohs, reddish-orange from iron-oxide coatings, dull to slightly gritty luster, and composed of cemented sand grains with prominent cross-bedding and weathering grooves. Quartz dominates, with possible feldspar, mica, and iron-oxide cement; cleavage is absent.

Identified September 1, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Lithified wind- or water-deposited sand dunes, probably Mesozoic in age where this landscape resembles southwestern U.S. formations (roughly 200–150 million years old). Burial compaction and silica or iron-oxide cementation converted loose sand into rock.

Uses & applications

Used locally as building stone, landscaping stone, paving, and decorative slabs; attractive pieces may be collected, though it is generally not a jewelry material.

Geological facts

The large inclined layers record ancient migrating dunes or sediment channels. Its red color commonly reflects hematite coating otherwise pale quartz grains.

Field identification & locations

Common in Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, and similar arid basins worldwide. Identify it by gritty texture, visible sand grains, layered or cross-bedded surfaces, rusty-red coloration, and scratching difficulty with a steel knife.