sedimentary
Sandstone
Clastic sedimentary rock (Quartz arenite)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (depending on cementation), Color: Brown, tan, yellow, red, or gray, Luster: Dull to earthy, Crystal structure: Clastic (composed of mineral particles or rock fragments), Cleavage: None
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (depending on cementation), Color: Brown, tan, yellow, red, or gray, Luster: Dull to earthy, Crystal structure: Clastic (composed of mineral particles or rock fragments), Cleavage: None
Formation & geological history
Formed by the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments (predominantly quartz) in environments such as deserts, rivers, and beaches over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction as building stone, paving material, and in the manufacture of glass and abrasives.
Geological facts
Sandstone is porous and permeable, making it an excellent natural aquifer for storing groundwater and petroleum.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its gritty texture, visible sand grains, and layered bedding structures. Commonly found worldwide.
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Sandstone or Siltstone
Arenite (if sandstone)
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Fossiliferous Concretion
Septarian Concretion containing Brachiopods/Crinoids
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Quartz pebble
Silicon dioxide (SiO2)
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Generic Pebble / Rock Fragment
Lithic fragment / Weathered rock
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Banded Siltstone / Mudstone Pebble
Siltstone / Argillite
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Sedimentary Sandstone
Arenite (Sedimentary Rock)
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