Difference between revisions of "Quartzite"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
(New page: '''Quartzite''' is different from the rock quartz. Quartzite is a metamorphic rock that forms when sandstone is heated under pressure deep within the Earth. When quartzite is pur...) |
(copyed) |
||
| (One intermediate revision by one other user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | '''Quartzite''' | + | '''Quartzite''' is a [[metamorphic rock]] that forms when sandstone is heated under pressure deep within the [[Earth]] and should not be confused with mineral quartz. When quartzite is pure is most often white or greyish. Quartzite can be reddish or pinkish if iron oxide is present. Different mineral impurities can give quartzite different colours. [[Fossil]]s are rare in quartzite. Quartzite resists chemical weathering and therefore forms ridges and hilltops when less resistant rocks round it have eroded away. Quartzite does not form good soils therefore quartzite ridges are likely to be bare or to have poor soil and sparse vegetation. |
| + | [[Category:Geology]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:06, March 21, 2011
Quartzite is a metamorphic rock that forms when sandstone is heated under pressure deep within the Earth and should not be confused with mineral quartz. When quartzite is pure is most often white or greyish. Quartzite can be reddish or pinkish if iron oxide is present. Different mineral impurities can give quartzite different colours. Fossils are rare in quartzite. Quartzite resists chemical weathering and therefore forms ridges and hilltops when less resistant rocks round it have eroded away. Quartzite does not form good soils therefore quartzite ridges are likely to be bare or to have poor soil and sparse vegetation.