
sedimentary
Sandstone
Sedimentary Clastic Rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness varies from 6 to 7 depending on cement; color ranges from tan, brown, yellow to 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; color ranges from tan, brown, yellow to 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, dimension stone, and paving material.
Geological facts
Sandstone is often found in desert environments, beaches, and riverbeds, and forms many prominent geological cliffs worldwide.
Field identification & locations
Identify by visible sand grains and gritty texture; common globally in sedimentary basins.
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