sedimentary

Crushed Limestone

Sedimentary Carbonate Rock (CaCO3)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: typically grey, white, or tan; Luster: dull to earthy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline); Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral (not visible in aggregates); Specific Gravity: 2.5-2.7

Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale
Color: typically grey, white, or tan
Luster: dull to earthy

Identified March 15, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed primarily from the accumulation of shell, coral, algal, and fecal debris in clear, warm, shallow marine waters. It can also form through chemical precipitation from ocean water or spring water. It is found in geological layers spanning from the Precambrian to the Holocene.

Uses & applications

Major use in construction as road base, concrete aggregate, and railroad ballast. Also used in the production of cement, for soil neutralization in agriculture, and as a source of industrial lime.

Geological facts

Limestone occupies about 10% of the total volume of all sedimentary rocks on Earth. Most of the world’s caves are formed in limestone because it is soluble in rainwater and weak acids.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its grey color and fine-grained texture; it will effervesce (fizz) when exposed to a drop of dilute hydrochloric acid (or vinegar). Common in driveways and landscaping beds worldwide.