sedimentary
Limestone with Fossil
Sedimentary limestone, calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
Hardness: 3 on the Mohs scale. Color: Off-white, grey, or tan. Luster: Dull to earthy. Crystal structure: Trigonal (calcite). Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral cleavage. Specific gravity: 2.71.
- Hardness
- 3 on the Mohs scale
- Color
- Off-white, grey, or tan
- Luster
- Dull to earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 on the Mohs scale. Color: Off-white, grey, or tan. Luster: Dull to earthy. Crystal structure: Trigonal (calcite). Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral cleavage. Specific gravity: 2.71.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the accumulation and compaction of organic remains such as shells, coral, and algae, or chemical precipitation of calcium carbonate in shallow marine environments, typically over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, production of cement, road base, agricultural soil conditioning, and as dimension stone.
Geological facts
Limestone often preserves ancient marine fossils like crinoids, brachiopods, and ammonites, providing a detailed record of prehistoric ocean life.
Field identification & locations
Found worldwide in sedimentary basins, quarries, and coastal outcrops. Easily identified by its reaction to dilute hydrochloric acid (effervescence) and visible fossil fragments.
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