Classification of Sandstone

There have been over

fifty classification
schemes proposed for
sandstone. Most of
those currently in use
involve a ternary QFL
(quartz, feldspar, lithic)
plot for framework
grains and a major
division based on the
relative amount of
matrix.
 Dott Classification

Because of its simplicity and added detail, I prefer this version (with
some modification of terminology) of the Dott classification.
 Point Counting

Sandstone composition is typically determined microscopically by

identifying mineral composition at 300 equally spaced points
across a thin-section.
 Sample Point Count
Total Rock Composition Framework Grain Composition

Component Proportion Component Proportion

(%) (%)
Quartz 78 Quartz (78/174) 45
Feldspar 60 Feldspar (60/174) 34
Rock fragments 36 Lithic (36/174) 21
Matrix 126
Total: 100
Total: 300

Total Q, F, and L: 174

Composition at 300 points is identified. The relative abundance of

framework grains to matrix determines whether the rock is an arenite, a
wacke, or a mudstone. The framework composition is normalized to
determine the type (quartz, feldspathic, lithic) of arenite or wacke.
 Ternary Diagrams

This sample plots as

lithofeldspathic. Because of its
high matrix content, it would
be a lithofeldspathic wacke or
lithic arkose wacke.

The normalized framework percentages are plotted on ternary diagrams

to determine rock composition.
 Quartz

Monocrystalline Chert

Polycrystalline

Quartz grains occur in three forms, monocrystalline (igneous source),

polycrystalline (metamorphic source) and chert (sedimentary source).
Some workers consider chert to be a lithic fragment.
 Feldspars
Orthoclase crystal undergoing dissolution Plagioclase altering to calcite

Dissolution along cleavage planes

Feldspar grains occur in four forms, orthoclase, plagioclase,

microcline, and sanidine and repesent a variety of igneous and
metamorphic sources. Feldspar rapidly alters to clay (kaolinite,
sericite) and calcite and is highly subject to dissolution.
 Lithic Grains

Lithic fragments are grains

Volcanic Rock Fragment
Chert Plutonic Rock Fragment
that are recognizable as
particles of pre-existing
rocks and are classified as
igneous, sedimentary, or
metamorphic. Some
workers consider plutonic
and gneissic rock fragments
to be feldspar grains.

Metamorphic Rock Sedimentary Rock

Fragment Fragment (shale)
 Provenance of Sandstone
(framework grains)
Influence of Climate
Influence of Source Rock

The primary control on sandstone composition is the source rock.

However, climate and transport distance also have significant impacts.
Provenance of Sandstone (accessory
[mostly heavy] minerals)
Provenance of Accessory Minerals in Sandstones
Igneous Metamorphic Ig/Mc mixed
Aegerine Actinolite Biotite
Augite Andalusite Enstatite
Accessory minerals
Chromite Chloritoid Hornblende typically have a much
Ilmenite Cordierite Hypersthene more restricted range of
Muscovite Diopside Magnetite formation than quartz
Topaz Epidote Sphene or feldspar; therefore,
Garnet Tourmaline even minor occurrences
Sedimentary Glaucophane Zircon can be very useful in
Calcite Kyanite
determining the
Chert Rutile
sediment source.
Sillimanite
Staurolite
Tremolite
 Matrix

The matrix portion of sandstone consists of mud-size particles,

particularly of clay and mica in composition, though quartz and
feldspar can play a significant role.
 Cement
Common cements:
• Quartz
• Calcite
• Dolomite
• Siderite
• Hematite
• Limonite
• Mn oxides
• Pyrite
• Gypsum
• Barite

Quartz sandstone with calcite, silica, and pyrite cements

Cement is a diagenetic precipitate formed mostly during burial and

reflects changes in temperature, pressure, and ion concentration.
 Quartz Arenite

• At least 95% quartz

• Most common along passive continental margins and in
epicontinental seas
• Often found in eolian, beach, and shelf depositional systems
• Are typically well-cemented and texturally mature to supermature
• Usually represent multiple recycling events (polycyclic)
• Can be first generation if the result of intense weathering
 Feldspathic Arenite/Wacke (arkose)

• At least 25% feldspar (any type)

• Arenites have less than and wackes more than 15% matrix
• Most common in proximity to granitic source terranes, particularly
those in arid or cold climatic regions or humid regions with high relief
• Often found in alluvial fan depositional systems
• Are typically immature to sub-mature texturally
• Usually from first generation sediment
 Lithic Wacke (greywacke)

• At least 25% lithic framework grains

• At least 15% matrix
• Most common in proximity to volcanic source terranes,
particularly those in arid or cold climatic regions or humid regions
with high relief
• Often found in alluvial fan depositional systems
• Almost always immature to sub-mature texturally
• Nearly always from first generation sediment
 Glauconitic Sandstone

Glauconite is an iron-rich clay mineral related to illite that forms on

marine shelves under mildly reducing conditions and very slow
sedimentation rates prior to burial, often coating the surfaces of shells,
fecal pellets, and sedimentary (clastic and carbonate) particles.
Deposits are often some times referred to as “green sands.”
 Phosphatic Sandstone

Phosphate nodules and cements develop through dissolution of

organic materials, such as bones and teeth, under conditions of low
pH. Phosphate is commonly found in association with glauconite.
 Porosity

Primary Porosity Secondary porosity

Porosity is a measure of the open space within a rock and can be either
primary (intergranular) or secondary (dissolution) in nature.
 Porosity and Grain Size

Grain size and sorting significantly affect the primary porosity of sand.