sedimentary
Sandstone
Clastic Sedimentary Rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness varies from 6 to 7 depending on cement; colors include brown, tan, yellow, and red; dull luster; granular texture.
Identified More sedimentary →
Explore Sandstone in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness varies from 6 to 7 depending on cement; colors include brown, tan, yellow, and red; dull luster; granular texture.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments, mostly quartz and feldspar, over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction as a building material, paving stone, and for making glass.
Geological facts
Famous structures like Petra and the US Capitol were constructed using sandstone due to its workability and durability.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its gritty texture and visible sand grains; commonly found in deserts, riverbeds, and ancient marine environments.
More like this
Other sedimentary specimens
Fossil-bearing concretion, possibly containing a fossil shell or other organic inclusion
Calcareous concretion; exact fossil and host-rock composition are not identifiable from the image
fossil
Fossiliferous Sedimentary Rock
Sedimentary limestone with invertebrate fossil imprint
fossil
Sandstone or Siltstone
Arenite (if sandstone)
Sedimentary
Sandstone
Arenite
sedimentary
Shale
Shale (clastic sedimentary rock)
sedimentary
Shale (or Mudstone/Siltstone)
Sedimentary Mudrock (SiO2, Al2O3 base with clay minerals)
sedimentary