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Greensand
 

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Upper Greensand




exposing Cambrian greensand in the lower unit. Notice the normal Fault cutting through the formation.]]

Greensand is an olive-green coloured Sandstone Rock which is commonly found in narrow bands, particularly associated with bands of Chalk and Clay worldwide. In some areas, a distinction is made between Upper Greensand and Lower Greensand. These greensand Strata tend to occur just beneath the chalk and can be separated by a layer of Gault . Greensand is quite common in northern and western Europe . In Britain , prominent seams are to be found in the Vale Of White Horse , the Greensand Ridge in Bedfordshire , the Greensand Way in Kent and the Jurassic Coast in Dorset . The green colour of greensand is due to variable amounts of the Mineral Glauconite , an Iron Potassium Silicate with very low Weathering resistance.

Greensand formations were common in marine environments during the Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods .

Greensand is a common ingredient in garden Fertiliser s. It is also used directly in Organic Gardening and Organic Farming . Due to its chemical exchange properties, the glauconite of greensand is used as a water softener.


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