Where is Metasandstone found?
Metasandstone
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Open the appMetasandstone occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Metasandstone
Appalachian Mountains, USA
Extensive occurrences of metasandstone and quartzite are found throughout the Appalachian orogen, particularly in the Blue Ridge and Valley and Ridge provinces, where ancient sandstones have been metamorphosed during multiple orogenic events.
Scottish Highlands, UK
Significant exposures of metasandstone, often referred to as quartzite, are present in the Scottish Highlands, part of the Caledonian orogen.
Canadian Shield, Canada
Large areas of the Canadian Shield contain ancient metasandstones and quartzites, representing metamorphosed sedimentary sequences from the Precambrian.
Himalayan Orogen, Asia
Metasandstones are common in the Himalayan mountain range, where extensive sedimentary sequences have been subjected to intense regional metamorphism during the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates.
Brazil
Various regions in Brazil, particularly within Precambrian shield areas, host significant deposits of metasandstone and quartzite.
Collecting tips
- Look for Metamorphic Terranes. Metasandstone is found in regions that have undergone significant metamorphism, such as ancient mountain belts, cratonic margins, and areas affected by regional or contact metamorphism.
- Examine Outcrops for Hardness and Texture. Test the rock's hardness; metasandstone is very hard (Mohs 7). Look for a sugary, interlocking texture where individual grains are difficult to distinguish or break across rather than around.
- Check for Relict Sedimentary Structures. While often massive, some metasandstones may retain relict bedding planes or cross-bedding from their sandstone protolith, which can help in identification.
- Distinguish from Sandstone. A key differentiator from sandstone is that metasandstone will typically break through the quartz grains, creating a smoother, more conchoidal fracture surface, whereas sandstone tends to break around the grains, leaving a rougher, more friable surface.
Quick Check
- Color:
- White, gray, tan, reddish-brown
- Luster:
- Vitreous to dull
- Streak:
- White
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