Where is Iron-rich Sandstone found?
Sandstone with iron oxide cement
Got a photo? Identify rocks instantly with the Rockby app
Open the appIron-rich 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 Iron-rich Sandstone
Colorado Plateau, USA
Extensive red bed sequences, such as the Navajo Sandstone and Entrada Sandstone, are classic examples of iron-rich sandstones, giving the landscape its iconic red hues.
Western Australia
Many Proterozoic and Phanerozoic sedimentary basins contain iron-rich sandstones, often associated with iron ore deposits or as host rocks.
Devonian Old Red Sandstone, UK
A well-known geological unit in Great Britain, characterized by its distinctive reddish-brown color due to abundant hematitic cement, representing ancient fluvial and lacustrine environments.
Nubian Sandstone, North Africa/Middle East
A vast aquifer system and rock unit, often exhibiting iron-rich characteristics, particularly in its upper sections, contributing to the desert landscape colors.
Collecting tips
- Look for Red Beds. Iron-rich sandstones are often part of 'red bed' sequences, which are thick successions of sedimentary rocks (sandstones, shales, conglomerates) that are predominantly red, brown, or purple due to the presence of ferric iron oxides. These are common in arid or semi-arid ancient environments.
- Examine Outcrops in Oxidizing Environments. Search in areas where ancient sediments were deposited under oxidizing conditions, such as ancient river systems, desert dunes, or shallow marine settings. Road cuts, canyon walls, and quarries are good places to observe these rocks.
- Check for Iron Staining. Even if the sandstone itself isn't uniformly red, look for localized iron staining or Liesegang banding (concentric rings or irregular bands of iron oxides) within sandstone units, indicating the presence and movement of iron-bearing fluids.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Red, reddish-brown, brown, yellowish-brown
- Luster:
- Dull to earthy
- Streak:
- Reddish-brown (for hematite-cemented), yellowish-brown (for goethite/limonite-cemented)
Explore Iron-rich Sandstone
Identify rocks anywhere
Free on iOS, Android, and Web. Photo identification, full database, and your personal collection.