sedimentary
Sandstone
Clastic sedimentary rock (Quartz arenite)
Hardness of 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale (due to quartz grains); colors range from brown, tan, yellow, red, to grey; dull to earthy luster; clastic texture with visible or microscopic sand-sized grains; no distinct cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale (due to quartz grains); colors range from brown, tan, yellow, red, to grey; dull to earthy luster; clastic texture with visible or microscopic sand-sized grains; no distinct cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments, mainly quartz and feldspar, typically deposited by water, wind, or ice in environments such as deserts, rivers, beaches, and shallow marine settings.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction and architecture as dimension stone, building material, paving stones, and for manufacturing glass and abrasives.
Geological facts
Famous monuments around the world, including Petra in Jordan and parts of the Grand Canyon, are carved out of or composed of massive sandstone formations.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its gritty, sandpaper-like texture and visible sand grains. Found worldwide in sedimentary basins and arid regions.
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