sedimentary
Limestone
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 3 on Mohs scale, typically tan, gray, or white in color, with a dull to earthy luster and fine-grained crystal structure.
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 of 3 on Mohs scale, typically tan, gray, or white in color, with a dull to earthy luster and fine-grained crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the accumulation of organic remains like shells and coral or chemical precipitation in shallow marine environments over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction as building stone, aggregate in concrete, and in the manufacture of cement and agricultural lime.
Geological facts
Limestone often contains well-preserved fossils and dissolves in acidic solutions, creating vast underground cave systems.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its characteristic fizz when tested with dilute hydrochloric acid; found globally in sedimentary basins.
More like this
Other sedimentary specimens
Fossil-bearing concretion, possibly containing a fossil shell or other organic inclusion
Calcareous concretion; exact fossil and host-rock composition are not identifiable from the image
fossil
Fossiliferous Sedimentary Rock
Sedimentary limestone with invertebrate fossil imprint
fossil
Sandstone or Siltstone
Arenite (if sandstone)
Sedimentary
Sandstone
Arenite
sedimentary
Shale
Shale (clastic sedimentary rock)
sedimentary
Shale (or Mudstone/Siltstone)
Sedimentary Mudrock (SiO2, Al2O3 base with clay minerals)
sedimentary