Preliminary observations on the origin and sedimentological nature of sarsen stones

Abstract

The type of orthoquartzite known as sarsen stone is found over wide areas above the Chalk of south-east England. Scanning electron microscope and thin section studies indicate that sarsens are composed of quartz grains with syntaxial overgrowths of secondary quartz. They contain relatively little inter-particle siliceous cement. Their strength appears to be derived from the interlocking structure of the quartz grains produced by the syntaxial overgrowths.