sedimentary
Sandstone
Sandstone (Quartzose/Feldspathic Sandstone)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (grain dependent); Color: Yellowish-brown, tan, buff; Luster: Dull, earthy; Grain structure: Medium-grained clastic texture; Porosity: Variable, often porous.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale (grain dependent)
- Color
- Yellowish-brown, tan, buff
- Luster
- Dull, earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale (grain dependent); Color: Yellowish-brown, tan, buff; Luster: Dull, earthy; Grain structure: Medium-grained clastic texture; Porosity: Variable, often porous.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the compaction and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments, typically composed of quartz and feldspar, deposited in desert, river, or coastal environments over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used as a construction material, paving stone, decorative architectural facing, and in stone carving; serves as an important reservoir rock for groundwater and petroleum.
Geological facts
Sandstone accounts for roughly 20 to 25 percent of all sedimentary rocks found on Earth. Famous geological formations like the Grand Canyon and Red Rock Canyon feature massive sandstone layers.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its distinctive gritty feel (like sandpaper) and visible sand-sized mineral grains held together by a cement matrix. Extremely common in sedimentary basins worldwide.
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