sedimentary

Sandstone

Sandstone (SiO2 dominated)

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (due to quartz grains). Color: Yellow-brown, tan, or iron-stained orange. Luster: Dull, earthy. Structure: Granular sedimentary texture. Cleavage: None.

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (due to quartz grains)
Color: Yellow-brown, tan, or iron-stained orange
Luster: Dull, earthy

Identified July 21, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (due to quartz grains). Color: Yellow-brown, tan, or iron-stained orange. Luster: Dull, earthy. Structure: Granular sedimentary texture. Cleavage: None.

Formation & geological history

Formed by the compaction and cementation of sand-sized grains, primarily quartz and feldspar, deposited in desert, river, or coastal environments over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Widely used as a construction material, paving stone, decorative architectural stone, and as a reservoir rock for petroleum and groundwater.

Geological facts

Sandstone represents about 10 to 20 percent of the Earth's sedimentary rocks and often preserves fossil footprints and ripple marks from ancient environments.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its distinctive gritty feel, sand-like grain structure, and visible layering or cross-bedding. Found globally along riverbeds, coastal areas, and deserts.