Rock Identifier
Chalk (Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)) — sedimentary
sedimentary

Chalk

Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Mohs hardness of 1, white or light gray color, earthy or dull luster, microcrystalline structure, and high porosity.

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Physical properties

Mohs hardness of 1, white or light gray color, earthy or dull luster, microcrystalline structure, and high porosity.

Formation & geological history

Formed in marine environments from the accumulation of microscopic skeletal remains of calcareous plankton like coccolithophores, primarily during the Cretaceous period.

Uses & applications

Used in agriculture to neutralize soil acidity, manufacturing of lime and cement, writing chalk, and filler in various products.

Geological facts

Chalk cliffs, such as the White Cliffs of Dover, formed over millions of years from countless microscopic marine shells.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its soft, porous texture, white streak, and strong fizzing reaction when exposed to dilute hydrochloric acid.