Where is Quartz Sandstone found?
Quartz sandstone
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Open the appQuartz Sandstone 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 Quartz Sandstone
United States
Extensive deposits are found in the Appalachian Basin (e.g., Oriskany Sandstone), the Michigan Basin, the Illinois Basin, and throughout the Western US (e.g., Navajo Sandstone, St. Peter Sandstone). Significant occurrences in states like Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Utah.
Canada
Found in various sedimentary basins, including the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin and parts of the Canadian Shield.
Australia
Widespread in many sedimentary basins, including the Sydney Basin and parts of Western Australia.
United Kingdom
Notable occurrences in the Permian and Triassic sandstones of England (e.g., Penrith Sandstone) and Carboniferous sandstones in Scotland and Wales.
Middle East
Important reservoir rocks in many oil-producing regions, particularly in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq.
Brazil
Significant deposits in various basins, including the Paraná Basin.
Collecting tips
- Look for Sedimentary Layers. Quartz sandstone typically occurs in distinct, often well-bedded, sedimentary layers or formations. Look for outcrops in road cuts, river banks, quarries, and coastal cliffs.
- Examine Grain Composition. Use a hand lens to observe the individual grains. Quartz grains are typically clear to milky white, hard (scratches glass), and lack cleavage. A high proportion of these grains (over 90%) indicates quartz sandstone.
- Assess Grain Shape and Sorting. Well-rounded and well-sorted grains are characteristic of mature quartz sandstones, indicating significant transport and reworking. This can be observed with a hand lens.
- Check for Gritty Texture. Rub a sample between your fingers; it should feel gritty due to the sand-sized quartz grains.
- Consider Color and Cement. While often light-colored, variations exist. Note the color and try to identify the cementing agent if possible (e.g., reddish for iron oxide cement, white for silica or calcite cement).
Quick Check
- Color:
- White, gray, tan, yellow, brown, reddish
- Luster:
- Dull to vitreous (on grains)
- Streak:
- White
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