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
Total Rock Composition Count
Framework Grain Composition
Component
Quartz

Proportion
(%)
78

Component

Proportion
(%)
Quartz (78/174)
45

Feldspar

60

Feldspar (60/174)

34

Rock fragments

36

Lithic (36/174)

21

Matrix

126

Total:

300

Total:

100

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

Chert

Monocrystalline
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
Volcanic Rock Fragment

Chert

Plutonic Rock Fragment

Metamorphic Rock
Fragment

Sedimentary Rock
Fragment (shale)

Lithic fragments are grains

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.

Provenance of Sandstone
(framework grains)
Influence of Source Rock

Influence of Climate

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]
Provenance of Accessory Minerals in Sandstones
minerals)
Igneous

Metamorphic

Ig/Mc mixed

Aegerine

Actinolite

Biotite

Augite

Andalusite

Enstatite

Chromite

Chloritoid

Hornblende

Ilmenite

Cordierite

Hypersthene

Muscovite

Diopside

Magnetite

Topaz

Epidote

Sphene

Garnet

Tourmaline

Sedimentary

Glaucophane

Zircon

Calcite

Kyanite

Chert

Rutile
Sillimanite
Staurolite
Tremolite

Accessory minerals
typically have a much
more restricted range of
formation than quartz
or feldspar; therefore,
even minor occurrences
can be very useful in
determining the
sediment source.

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)

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

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