Quartz arenite makes up the Prospect Mountain Quartzite on top of Doso Doyabi, Nevada

A quartz arenite or quartzarenite is a sandstone composed of greater than 90% detrital quartz. Quartz arenites are the most mature sedimentary rocks possible, and are often referred to as ultra- or super-mature, and are usually cemented by silica. They often exhibit both textural and compositional maturity. The two primary sedimentary depositional environments that produce quartz arenites are beaches/upper shoreface and aeolian processes.

See also

  • Arkose – Type of sandstone containing at least 25% feldspar
  • Lithic sandstone – Sandstone with fragments of other rocks

Further reading

  • Cook, Jennie E.; Goodwin, Laurel B.; Boutt, David F. (June 2011). "Systematic diagenetic changes in the grain-scale morphology and permeability of a quartz-cemented quartz arenite". AAPG Bulletin. 95 (6): 1067–1088. Bibcode:. doi:.
  • Smith, P.S.; Browne, S.V.; Heinz, T.J.; Wise, W.V. (6 October 1996). "Drilling Fluid Design to Prevent Formation Damage in High Permeability Quartz Arenite Sandstones". All Days: SPE–36430–MS. doi:.
  • Makowitz, A.; Sibley, D. (1 September 2001). "Crystal Growth Mechanisms of Quartz Overgrowths in a Cambrian Quartz Arenite". Journal of Sedimentary Research. 71 (5): 809–816. Bibcode:. doi:.
  • Soegaard, Kristian; Eriksson, Kenneth A. (April 1989). "Origin of thick, first-cycle quartz arenite successions: Evidence from the 1.7 Ga Ortega Group, northern New Mexico". Precambrian Research. 43 (1–2): 129–141. Bibcode:. doi:.
  • Onasch, Charles M (January 1990). "Microfractures and their role in deformation of a quartz arenite from the central Appalachian foreland". Journal of Structural Geology. 12 (7): 883–894. Bibcode:. doi:.