sedimentary
Red Sandstone
Arenite (hematite-cemented quartz sandstone)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 6-7 on Mohs scale; reddish-orange to terracotta color with earthy luster and a gritty, porous clastic texture containing visible quartz and feldspar grains.
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Physical properties
Hardness 6-7 on Mohs scale; reddish-orange to terracotta color with earthy luster and a gritty, porous clastic texture containing visible quartz and feldspar grains.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of sand-sized grains in arid, desert, or fluvial environments, with iron oxides (hematite) providing the red pigmentation.
Uses & applications
Widely quarried as an architectural dimension stone, paving material, and decorative landscaping rock.
Geological facts
Red sandstone is responsible for world-famous geological formations like the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona, and the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its gritty sandpapery feel, visible clastic grains, and characteristic rust-red iron staining; common in continental sedimentary basins.
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