sedimentary
Fossiliferous Limestone
Biogenic Sedimentary Rock (primarily CaCO3 with fossil fragments)
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan, beige, or grey; Luster: Dull to earthy; Crystal structure: Microcrystalline to cryptocrystalline calcite; Cleavage: None (has distinct conchoidal to uneven fracture); Specific gravity: 2.5 - 2.7
- Hardness
- 3 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Tan, beige, or grey
- Luster
- Dull to earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Tan, beige, or grey; Luster: Dull to earthy; Crystal structure: Microcrystalline to cryptocrystalline calcite; Cleavage: None (has distinct conchoidal to uneven fracture); Specific gravity: 2.5 - 2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed in marine environments through the accumulation and compaction of shells, coral, algal, and other calcareous skeletal debris, often dating from the Paleozoic to Cenozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, production of lime and cement, dimension stone, road aggregate, and favored by collectors for visible fossil inclusions.
Geological facts
Limestone often preserves ancient marine life, providing a clear snapshot of prehistoric shallow seas and reefs.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its effervescence (fizzing) when tested with dilute hydrochloric acid and the presence of visible fossil fragments. Found globally in sedimentary basins.
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