sedimentary
Limestone
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 3 on Mohs scale, Color: White, gray, yellow, or brown, Luster: Dull to earthy, Crystal structure: Trigonal (Calcite), Specific gravity: 2.71
Identified More sedimentary →
Explore Limestone in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale, Color: White, gray, yellow, or brown, Luster: Dull to earthy, Crystal structure: Trigonal (Calcite), Specific gravity: 2.71
Formation & geological history
Formed by the accumulation of skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral, algal, and foraminifera, typically in shallow, warm marine waters over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction (as building blocks and aggregate in concrete), manufacture of lime and cement, agricultural soil conditioning, and metallurgy.
Geological facts
Limestone often contains fossils, providing a rich record of Earth's ancient marine life. Famous structures like the Great Pyramid of Giza are partially built from limestone.
Field identification & locations
Identified easily by its characteristic fizz when a weak acid like vinegar is applied due to the release of carbon dioxide. Found worldwide in sedimentary basins.
More like this
Other sedimentary specimens
Fossiliferous Sedimentary Rock
Sedimentary limestone with invertebrate fossil imprint
fossil
Sandstone or Siltstone
Arenite (if sandstone)
Sedimentary
Sandstone
Arenite
sedimentary
Quartz pebble
Silicon dioxide (SiO2)
sedimentary
Shale
Shale (clastic sedimentary rock)
sedimentary
Shale (or Mudstone/Siltstone)
Sedimentary Mudrock (SiO2, Al2O3 base with clay minerals)
sedimentary