GeoMiner Free earth-science tools

Built by a geologist

Sandstone identification and geology

A clastic sedimentary rock composed predominantly of sand-sized grains 0.0625–2 mm diameter , typically quartz, feldspar, and/or lithic rock fragments, bound together by cement or matrix. Sandstones are classified by their mineral composition and matrix content: quartz arenites 95% quartz , arkoses 25% feldspar , lithic arenites 25% rock fragments , and greywackes 15% matrix . They form in diverse environments including rivers, beaches, deserts, and marine shelves. Field: sedimentology. Example: The Athabasca oil sands of northeastern Alberta are hosted in the McMurray Formation, a Cretaceous quartz-rich sandstone whose porosity is filled with viscous bitumen rather than the more typical water or light oil.. Related terms: Arenite, Arkose, Greywacke, Quartz.

  • Browse all geology and mining glossary terms — Compare this entry with the complete GeoMiner glossary collection.
  • Previous: Ripple marks — Small-scale ridge-and-trough undulations on the surface of a sedimentary bed, formed by the movement of water or wind over loose sediment.
  • Next: Saprolite — Chemically weathered bedrock that has decomposed in place, retaining the original rock texture and structure but with a dramatically altered mineral…
  • Arkose
  • Quartz

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
2026-03-30T15:19:42.096023+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.

Read GeoMiner's editorial methodology or report a content issue.

Common questions

What does Sandstone mean in geology?
A clastic sedimentary rock composed predominantly of sand-sized grains 0.0625–2 mm diameter , typically quartz, feldspar, and/or lithic rock fragments, bound together by cement or matrix. Sandstones are classified by their mineral composition and matrix content: quartz arenites 95% quartz , arkoses 25% feldspar , lithic arenites 25% rock fragments , and greywackes 15% matrix . They form in diverse environments including rivers, beaches, deserts, and marine shelves.
What is an example of Sandstone?
The Athabasca oil sands of northeastern Alberta are hosted in the McMurray Formation, a Cretaceous quartz-rich sandstone whose porosity is filled with viscous bitumen rather than the more typical water or light oil.
Which earth-science field uses the term Sandstone?
Sandstone is used in sedimentology.
Which terms are related to Sandstone?
Related terms in this reference are Arenite, Arkose, Greywacke, Quartz.

JavaScript is loading the interactive GeoMiner experience. The identification tools provide educational candidates, not laboratory confirmation.