Economic Aspects of Red Sands from the Southern Coast of Somalia

Abstract

Analysis of Quaternary sands from coastal Somalia indicates the potential for economically useful glass-sand components and heavy minerals. The sands occur in four distinct stratigraphic levels and form subparallel ridges. Four components are present in all sand specimens: calcium carbonate, quartz, feldspars, and green hornblende; mineral compositions vary along a seaward-landward progression. The red sands are characterized by silica dissolution-precipitation features and alteration to laterite products.