sedimentary
Fossiliferous Limestone
Biogenic Sedimentary Rock (CaCO3)
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Gray, tan, or dark brown; Luster: Earthy to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Microcrystalline calcite; Cleavage: None (has conchoidal to uneven fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.7
- Hardness
- 3 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Gray, tan, or dark brown
- Luster
- Earthy to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Gray, tan, or dark brown; Luster: Earthy to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Microcrystalline calcite; Cleavage: None (has conchoidal to uneven fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed in marine environments through the accumulation of shell, coral, algal, and fecal debris, often millions of years ago during the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, or Cenozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, production of cement, road base, soil conditioning, and as decorative stone or in fossil collecting.
Geological facts
Limestone frequently preserves ancient marine life, providing key insights into Earth's evolutionary history and past climates.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its reaction to dilute hydrochloric acid (fizzing due to calcium carbonate content) and visible fossil fragments embedded within the rock matrix. Found worldwide.
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