quartzarenite

Quartzarenite is a clastic sedimentary rock, a highly mature sandstone in which quartz dominates the framework grains. It typically contains more than 90% quartz, with little to no feldspar or lithic fragments. The grains are well sorted and well rounded, and there is little to no detrital matrix.

The high degree of maturity reflects extensive weathering, transport, and sedimentary reworking that remove less stable minerals. Quartzarenites are commonly associated with high-energy environments such as beaches, dunes, and desert sands, where quartz grains can be transported and reworked repeatedly. They can also form in fluvial settings, but their quartz-rich character indicates substantial weathering and sorting prior to deposition.

Diagenesis in quartzarenite often leads to strong cementation, commonly by silica, which can reduce porosity. Other cements, such as calcite or iron oxides, may occur. Despite potential cementation, many quartzarenites retain high porosity and permeability, making them favorable reservoir rocks in hydrocarbon systems. The texture and mineralogy also influence diagenetic pathways, including dissolution and secondary porosity in some cases.

In widely used sedimentary classifications, quartzarenite denotes a quartz-dominated arenite, a hallmark of sedimentary maturity. It is one of the purest forms of sandstone and is recognized for its relative resistance to chemical weathering and its prevalence in both ancient and modern sedimentary sequences.