sedimentary
Sandstone
Sandstone (Quartz-rich sedimentary rock)
Hardness 6-7 on Mohs scale; color varies from grayish-green to brownish; dull to earthy luster; clastic texture composed of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments; specific gravity ~2.2-2.8.
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Physical properties
Hardness 6-7 on Mohs scale; color varies from grayish-green to brownish; dull to earthy luster; clastic texture composed of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments; specific gravity ~2.2-2.8.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the compaction and cementation of sand-sized grains deposited by water, wind, or ice in various sedimentary environments such as rivers, beaches, and deserts.
Uses & applications
Widely used as a construction material, flagstone, paving stone, and decorative garden stone.
Geological facts
Sandstone matrix often preserves ancient ripple marks, cross-bedding structures, and sometimes fossil impressions from early marine or terrestrial environments.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctly grainy, sandpaper-like surface feel and visible clastic grains; common along riverbeds, beaches, and eroded rock formations worldwide.
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