sedimentary
Sandstone
Clastic sedimentary rock
Hardness: 6-7 (depending on cement); Color: tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, pink; Luster: dull to earthy; Crystal structure: clastic/granular texture with quartz grains; Cleavage: none
- Hardness
- 6-7 (depending on cement)
- Color
- tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, pink
- Luster
- dull to earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (depending on cement); Color: tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, pink; Luster: dull to earthy; Crystal structure: clastic/granular texture with quartz grains; Cleavage: none
Formation & geological history
Formed by the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments, chiefly quartz and feldspar, in environments such as beaches, deserts, and rivers over millions of years
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction as building stone, paving material, and in the manufacturing of glass and concrete
Geological facts
Sandstone often preserves ripple marks and fossilized tracks, providing geologists with vital clues about ancient environments
Field identification & locations
Commonly identified by its gritty texture, visible sand grains, and layered bedding structures found in sedimentary basins worldwide
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