sedimentary
Fossiliferous Limestone
Sedimentary Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Gray, tan, or white; Luster: Dull/earthy; Texture: Fine-grained matrix with visible fossil inclusions or crystalline patches; Specific Gravity: 2.5-2.7.
- Hardness
- 3 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Gray, tan, or white
- Luster
- Dull/earthy
Identified More sedimentary →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Gray, tan, or white; Luster: Dull/earthy; Texture: Fine-grained matrix with visible fossil inclusions or crystalline patches; Specific Gravity: 2.5-2.7.
Formation & geological history
Formed in shallow, warm marine environments through the accumulation of organic debris such as shell, coral, and algal remains. Over millions of years, these sediments are buried and lithified.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in the construction industry for cement, road base, and building stone. It is also used as a soil conditioner and in lime production.
Geological facts
Limestone accounts for about 10% of the total volume of all sedimentary rocks. It often contains micro-fossils that help geologists date the rock layer.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its effervescence (bubbles) when a drop of diluted hydrochloric acid or strong vinegar is applied. Frequently found in areas that were prehistoric seabeds.
More like this
Other sedimentary specimens
Sandstone or Siltstone
Arenite (if sandstone)
Sedimentary
Chert Breccia
Brecciated Chert (Microcrystalline Silica)
sedimentary
Sandstone
Arenite (primarily SiO2)
sedimentary
Sandstone Grain
Clastic Sedimentary Rock Grain (SiO2 dominated)
sedimentary
Shale or Slaty Mudstone
Argillaceous sedimentary rock
sedimentary
Sandstone
Arenite
sedimentary