The orthodox view is that sand particles are crystal grains that have fallen out of crystalline rock due to weathering.
But if this is so then why do sand particles not come in an array of vastly differing sizes? The grain size of granite for example is huge whereas for other rock the grain size is far smaller than the average sand particle.
Further if sand comes from crystalline rock then we ought to be able to see this happening. For example why aren’t weathering crystalline rocks rough like sand paper to the touch and why do we not see piles of sand at the base of cliffs formed from crystalline rock? It is true certain types of sandstone can erode into piles of sand depending on the cementing material holding the sand particles together, but this does not explain where the sand came from that the sandstone was made from in the first place.
Why is it that we see sandy beaches on coastlines where crystalline rock is absent and where the nearest rivers have flowed through areas of sedimentary rock where crystalline rock is absent?
It is known that waterborne quartz is able to form sedimentary rock but can this waterborne mineral also not sometimes precipitate out of solution in certain circumstances to form sand particles?
Anybody out there have any opinions on this?
But if this is so then why do sand particles not come in an array of vastly differing sizes? The grain size of granite for example is huge whereas for other rock the grain size is far smaller than the average sand particle.
Further if sand comes from crystalline rock then we ought to be able to see this happening. For example why aren’t weathering crystalline rocks rough like sand paper to the touch and why do we not see piles of sand at the base of cliffs formed from crystalline rock? It is true certain types of sandstone can erode into piles of sand depending on the cementing material holding the sand particles together, but this does not explain where the sand came from that the sandstone was made from in the first place.
Why is it that we see sandy beaches on coastlines where crystalline rock is absent and where the nearest rivers have flowed through areas of sedimentary rock where crystalline rock is absent?
It is known that waterborne quartz is able to form sedimentary rock but can this waterborne mineral also not sometimes precipitate out of solution in certain circumstances to form sand particles?
Anybody out there have any opinions on this?