sedimentary
Sandstone
Clastic Sedimentary Rock
Hardness varies from 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale depending on the quartz content; colors include tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, and pink; dull to earthy luster; granular texture composed mainly of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments.
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Physical properties
Hardness varies from 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale depending on the quartz content; colors include tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, and pink; dull to earthy luster; granular texture composed mainly of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments, usually composed of quartz and feldspar, deposited in environments such as beaches, deserts, rivers, and floodplains.
Uses & applications
Widely used as a construction material for building, paving, and monuments, as well as an abrasive and in the manufacturing of glass.
Geological facts
Sandstone formations can be exceptionally porous, making them important reservoirs for petroleum and underground water aquifers.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its gritty, sandpaper-like texture and visible mineral grains. Commonly found in sedimentary basins worldwide.
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