sedimentary
Fossiliferous Limestone
Biogenic Limestone (Calcium Carbonate, CaCO3)
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Gray, tan, or white; Luster: Dull to earthy; Carbonate composition reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid; Contains visible shell or skeletal fragments.
- Hardness
- 3 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Gray, tan, or white
- Luster
- Dull to earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Gray, tan, or white; Luster: Dull to earthy; Carbonate composition reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid; Contains visible shell or skeletal fragments.
Formation & geological history
Formed in marine environments by the accumulation of shell, coral, algal, and fecal debris. These are organically derived sedimentary rocks typically from the Phanerozoic eon.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as building stone and aggregate for concrete, manufacturing lime, and as architectural decoration. Smaller fossils are popular for educational purposes.
Geological facts
Fossiliferous limestone is a biological record of ancient marine life. Entire mountain ranges, like parts of the Himalayas, are made of limestone that was once the floor of an ancient ocean.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by looking for visible fossil imprints or shell segments within the matrix; it can also be tested with acids for a characteristic fizzing reaction. Common in regions that were once prehistoric seafloors.
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