sedimentary
Sandstone
Clastic Sedimentary Rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness varies from 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale depending on cementation. Colors range from tan, brown, yellow, red, to gray, with a dull to earthy luster and clastic texture composed mostly of quartz grains.
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Physical properties
Hardness varies from 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale depending on cementation. Colors range from tan, brown, yellow, red, to gray, with a dull to earthy luster and clastic texture composed mostly of quartz grains.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments, predominantly quartz, in marine, desert, or river environments over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction for building facades, paving, and retaining walls, as well as historically for millstones and whetstones.
Geological facts
Sandstone formations often display visible bedding planes and cross-bedding, recording ancient wind or water current directions. Famous structures like Petra are carved directly into sandstone cliffs.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its gritty, sandpaper-like texture and visible mineral grains. It is found worldwide in sedimentary basins and desert regions.
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