EARTH’S AND LIFE SCIENCE

11-EMERALD
ARIEAN L. MADROGABA

QUARTZITE ROCK

Quartzite is a metamorphic rock formed when quartz-rich sandstone

or chert has been exposed to high temperatures and pressures. Such
conditions fuse the quartz grains together forming a dense, hard,
equigranular rock.

NAME OF THE ROCK: QUARTZITE ROCK

TYPE OF THE ROCK: Quartzite is a hard, non-foliated metamorphic
rock which was originally pure quartz sandstone. Sandstone is converted into
quartzite through heating and pressure usually related to tectonic compression
within orogenic belts.

COLOR: Pure quartzite is usually white to grey

SIZE: Grain size: Medium grained; can see interlocking quartz crystals with
the naked eye.

WHERE IT IS FORMED: Most quartzite forms during mountain-

building events at convergent plate boundaries where sandstone was deposited
on a continental plate. 

HOW IT IS FORMED: Quartzite is a metamorphic rock formed when

quartz-rich sandstone or chert has been exposed to high temperatures and
pressures. Such conditions fuse the quartz grains together forming a dense,
hard, equigranular rock.

WHAT ARE SOME USES: Pure quartzites are a source of silica for
metallurgical purposes and for the manufacture of silica brick. Quartzite is
also quarried for paving blocks, riprap, road metal (crushed stone), railroad
ballast, and roofing granules.