Particle Size


Particle Shape Sediments Outline

Particle size is an important factor in determining many important physical rock properties including strength, porosity, permeability, density and many others. It also determines the name of the sedimentary rock type for clastic rocks.

PARTICLE DIAMETER (mm) NAME CLASTIC ROCK TYPE
> 256 Boulder VERY COARSE CONGLOMERATE
64-256 Cobble COARSE CONGLOMERATE
2-64 Gravel CONGLOMERATE
2-0.6 Coarse Sand COARSE SANDSTONE
0.6-0.2 Medium Sand MEDIUM SANDSTONE
0.2-0.06 Fine Sand FINE SANDSTONE
0.06-0.002 Silt SILTSTONE
< 0.002 Clay MUDSTONE


Particle Shape Sediments Outline
(c) Department of Civil and Geological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, S7N 5A9