Select Page
What is sand?

What is sand?

by | May 26, 2016 | Sandy shorelines

Sandy shorelines What is sand?Sand consists of mineral grains measuring between 0.006 and 2 millimetres across. It is formed when fragments are eroded from exposed rock by water, ice, wind or frost. As they are transported from one place to another, the fragments are...
Feldspar and mica

Feldspar and mica

by | May 26, 2016 | Sandy shorelines

Sandy shorelines Feldspar and micaLess resistant minerals such as feldspar and mica can be reduced to particles even smaller than sand. Photo: Erik...
Quartz

Quartz

by | May 26, 2016 | Sandy shorelines

Sandy shorelines QuartzHarder minerals such as quartz are more resistant to wear and tear, which is why sand is dominated by quartz grains. Photo: Erik...
Minerals

Minerals

by | May 26, 2016 | Sandy shorelines

Sandy shorelines MineralsDifferent minerals have different densities. Dark minerals such as amphiboles and pyroxenes are heavier than quartz. Wind and water sort them according to weight, leaving intricate patterns in the...