fossil
Fossiliferous Limestone (Hash)
Bioclastic Grainstone / Calcarenite
Hardness: 3 (calcite matrix); Color: Tan, cream, and grey; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Structure: Clastic fossil fragments embedded in a fine-grained matrix; Composition: Calcium carbonate (CaCO3).
- Hardness
- 3 (calcite matrix)
- Color
- Tan, cream, and grey
- Luster
- Dull/Earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 (calcite matrix); Color: Tan, cream, and grey; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Structure: Clastic fossil fragments embedded in a fine-grained matrix; Composition: Calcium carbonate (CaCO3).
Formation & geological history
Formed in high-energy marine environments where shells and skeletal remains were broken up by wave action and later lithified. These often date from the Paleozoic to Mesozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Primarily used for geological study and as a decorative stone. Large-scale deposits are used for crushed stone in construction and cement manufacturing.
Geological facts
The specimen appears to contain various bryozoan or coral fragments and potentially small bivalve imprints. These 'shell hashes' provide a frozen snapshot of ancient seafloor life.
Field identification & locations
Identify by looking for visible shell or organism fragments and testing for a reaction (fizzing) with diluted hydrochloric acid. Common in areas with sedimentary bedrock near ancient coastlines.
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