sedimentary

Fossiliferous Limestone

Limestone (Calcium Carbonate) with Fossil Inclusions

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 3-4 on Mohs scale. Color: Gray, bluish-gray, brownish-gray. Luster: Dull to earthy. Structure: Massive, composed mainly of calcite with embedded fossil fragments.

Hardness: 3-4 on Mohs scale
Color: Gray, bluish-gray, brownish-gray
Luster: Dull to earthy

Identified August 31, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 3-4 on Mohs scale. Color: Gray, bluish-gray, brownish-gray. Luster: Dull to earthy. Structure: Massive, composed mainly of calcite with embedded fossil fragments.

Formation & geological history

Formed in shallow marine environments from the accumulation of calcium carbonate and organic remains (shells, coral, etc.) over millions of years, later undergoing lithification.

Uses & applications

Used in construction as a building material, in agriculture to neutralize soil acidity, and as a collector's item for the fossils it contains.

Geological facts

Fossiliferous limestone is a key indicator of past marine environments and can contain a wide variety of fossils, offering a window into ancient ecosystems.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its relatively soft nature (can be scratched with a knife), its reaction to dilute hydrochloric acid (effervescence), and the visible presence of fossil fragments. Commonly found in areas that were once shallow seas.