Sandstone

Introduction: As sandstones are usually hard and resistant to erosion, a number of prominent and spectacular cliffs and mountains can be admired. In southern Africa, Table Mountain which overlooks Cape Town is the region's most famous example of a sandstone outcrop.

Distribution: Fish River Canyon (Ai-Ais) and other large portions of the Nama sedimentary sequence of outcrops in southern Namibia are formed from sandstone. The world's second largest canyon consists of layers of sandstone sculptured by millions of years of erosion. The Finger of God at Mukorob was one of Namibia's most famous outcrops of sandstone (before it collapsed on 8th December 1988).

Composition: Quartz, feldspars and clay minerals. Sandstone can be composed of almost any mineral species; it depends on the rocks from which the sediment has been deposited.

Colouration: White, grey, yellow or red.

Uses: Construction. Quartz is found in sandstone.