Earth:Szydłowiec sandstone

Short description: Variant of sandstone found in Poland

Szydłowiec Pillory, a column made out of Szydłowiec sandstone, located in Szydłowiec, Poland .

Szydłowiec sandstone is a variation of fine-grained and medium-grained sandstone present in the area around the town of Szydłowiec, Poland .

Characteristics

Szydłowiec sandstone originates from the Jurassic period. It usually has white colour, and less often, yellow. It can be fine-grained or medium-grained, and sometimes elastic. The sandstone consists of layers that vary from a few centimetres to a few metres, with mudstones and claystones present in between. The stone can reach up to 180 m (590.6 ft.) thick. It is characterized by its separateness and blockability. The Szydłowiec sandstone is used in manufacturing tiles, lining, socles, sculptures, and construction aggregate.

History

The Szydłowiec sandstone was historically mined in the area around the town of Szydłowiec, Poland, including in: Chmielów, Końskie, Kunów, Nietulisko Duże, Szydłowiec (Szydłowiec stone quarries), and Rogów.