sedimentary
Limestone with Calcite Veins
Sedimentary Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)
Hardness: 3 (Mohs scale); Color: Dark grey to charcoal with white veins; Luster: Dull to earthy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (in veins); Specific gravity: 2.5-2.7
- Hardness
- 3 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Dark grey to charcoal with white veins
- Luster
- Dull to earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 (Mohs scale); Color: Dark grey to charcoal with white veins; Luster: Dull to earthy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (in veins); Specific gravity: 2.5-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed by the accumulation of marine skeletal fragments and chemical precipitation in shallow marine environments. The white veins formed later when mineral-rich water filled fractures in the rock and precipitated calcite.
Uses & applications
Limestone is used extensively in construction as aggregate, in cement production, and as a soil conditioner in agriculture.
Geological facts
Limestone makes up about 10% of the total volume of all sedimentary rocks on Earth. It is the primary parent material for karst landscapes and caves.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified in the field by its characteristic grey color and the fact that it will effervesce (fizz) when in contact with dilute hydrochloric acid or vinegar. Common in coastal areas and riverbeds.
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