Hardness in geology

Hardness in geology refers to a mineral's ability to resist scratching or abrasion. It is commonly measured using the Mohs scale, which ranks minerals from 1 (very soft, like talc) to 10 (very hard, like diamond). This scale helps geologists identify and classify minerals based on their physical properties. Understanding hardness is important for applications like mining, construction, and determining how minerals will behave in natural environments. Hardness gives insights into a mineral’s structure and composition, influencing its uses and stability in different conditions.