
sedimentary
Limestone with Fossil Fragment
Sedimentary carbonate rock (CaCO3)
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale, Color: Gray to brownish-gray, Luster: Dull to earthy, Crystal structure: Microcrystalline (calcite), Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral in calcite, Specific gravity: 2.5-2.7
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale, Color: Gray to brownish-gray, Luster: Dull to earthy, Crystal structure: Microcrystalline (calcite), Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral in calcite, Specific gravity: 2.5-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed through the accumulation and compaction of organic debris, shell fragments, and mineral precipitation in shallow marine environments over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, production of cement, road base, agricultural lime, and geological education.
Geological facts
Limestone often preserves ancient sea life as fossils, providing a detailed record of Earth's biological history, particularly from the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras.
Field identification & locations
Can be easily identified by its reaction to dilute hydrochloric acid, which causes it to fizz due to the release of carbon dioxide from calcium carbonate.
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