sedimentary
Limestone Gravel
Sedimentary Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)
Hardness: 3-4 (Mohs scale), Color: tan to light grey, Luster: dull to earthy, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline), Cleavage: None visible in small gravel fragments
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3-4 (Mohs scale), Color: tan to light grey, Luster: dull to earthy, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline), Cleavage: None visible in small gravel fragments
Formation & geological history
Formed by the accumulation of shell, coral, algal, and fecal debris in clear, warm, shallow marine waters. Can also form through the precipitation of calcium carbonate from lake or ocean water.
Uses & applications
Primarily used as construction aggregate, road base, railroad ballast, and in the production of cement and lime.
Geological facts
Limestone makes up about 10% of the total volume of all sedimentary rocks. Most limestone is biological in origin and may contain tiny fossils.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its light color, soft nature (can be scratched by a copper coin), and its effervescence (bubbles) when touched with a drop of dilute hydrochloric acid.
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