greensand
Quick Summary
Greensand is a sedimentary deposit primarily composed of dark greenish grains of glauconite, often mixed with clay or sand. Glauconite is a potash-bearing mineral that gives greensands their distinctive color. These deposits are found widely distributed on the ocean floor and in ancient rock strata on continents. Greensands are utilized as water softeners. Sand itself is defined as mineral, rock, or soil particles ranging in diameter from 0.02 to 2 mm. While quartz is the most common component of sand, greensands are specifically identified by the presence of glauconite.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

