quartzite

Definition

A hard, non-foliated metamorphic rock formed from sandstone that has been subjected to intense heat and pressure, composed primarily of tightly interlocking quartz crystals. Quartzite is highly durable and is commonly used in countertops, flooring, and construction.

Example Usage

The builder chose quartzite for the kitchen countertops because of its resistance to scratching and staining.

Origin

From 'quartz' (a mineral) plus the suffix '-ite' (stone), coined in the 19th century as geological terminology became standardized.

Fun Fact

Some of the oldest known quartzite formations are over 2.7 billion years old, making quartzite useful for dating and studying Earth's geological history.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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