sedimentary

Sandstone

Sedimentary Rock (Quartz arenite)

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (due to quartz grains); Color: Tan, yellow, brown, reddish-brown, grey, or white; Luster: Dull to earthy; Crystal structure: Clastic (composed of mineral particles or rock fragments, predominantly quartz); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.8

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (due to quartz grains)
Color: Tan, yellow, brown, reddish-brown, grey, or white
Luster: Dull to earthy

Identified July 31, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed by the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments, mostly quartz and feldspar, typically deposited by water, wind, or ice in environments like deserts, rivers, and beaches over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Widely used in construction as a building material, dimension stone, paving, and decorative aggregate, as well as historically for grindstones and whetstones.

Geological facts

Sandstone formations often preserve ancient ripple marks, fossilized tracks, and cross-bedding, providing geologists with a detailed record of prehistoric environments and ancient climates.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified in the field by its gritty texture (similar to sandpaper) and visible sand-sized grains. Found worldwide in deserts, river basins, canyons, and coastal regions.