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Arkose identification and geology

A coarse-grained sandstone containing at least 25% feldspar, typically derived from the rapid erosion of granitic or gneissic source rocks under conditions where chemical weathering is limited. Arkose is characteristically pink to red due to the abundance of potassium feldspar grains and iron oxide cement. Its high feldspar content indicates proximity to the source area and/or arid climatic conditions that preserved feldspar from chemical decomposition. Field: sedimentology. Example: The Torridonian Sandstone of northwest Scotland includes arkosic beds with abundant feldspar grains derived from the erosion of the underlying Lewisian Gneiss basement.. Related terms: Sandstone, Feldspar, Provenance, Greywacke.

Sources, scope & corrections

These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.

Editorial owner
GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T15:19:41.970235+00:00
Review status
Published; not independently peer-reviewed
  • USGS Thesaurus — U.S. Geological Survey. Controlled earth-science terminology used to describe USGS information resources.
  • Glossary of Geologic Terms — U.S. National Park Service. Geologic definitions prepared by the NPS Geologic Resources Inventory.

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Common questions

What does Arkose mean in geology?
A coarse-grained sandstone containing at least 25% feldspar, typically derived from the rapid erosion of granitic or gneissic source rocks under conditions where chemical weathering is limited. Arkose is characteristically pink to red due to the abundance of potassium feldspar grains and iron oxide cement. Its high feldspar content indicates proximity to the source area and/or arid climatic conditions that preserved feldspar from chemical decomposition.
What is an example of Arkose?
The Torridonian Sandstone of northwest Scotland includes arkosic beds with abundant feldspar grains derived from the erosion of the underlying Lewisian Gneiss basement.
Which earth-science field uses the term Arkose?
Arkose is used in sedimentology.
Which terms are related to Arkose?
Related terms in this reference are Sandstone, Feldspar, Provenance, Greywacke.

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