sedimentary
Limestone
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 3 on the Mohs scale, grayish to tan color, dull to earthy luster, and effervesces when exposed to weak acid.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 3 on the Mohs scale, grayish to tan color, dull to earthy luster, and effervesces when exposed to weak acid.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the accumulation of skeletal fragments of marine organisms or chemical precipitation in shallow marine environments over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, production of cement, agriculture to neutralize acidic soils, and in the manufacturing of glass and paper.
Geological facts
Limestone often contains well-preserved fossils and forms dramatic karst landscapes featuring caves, sinkholes, and underground rivers.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its reaction with dilute hydrochloric acid and common occurrence in sedimentary basins worldwide.
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Fossil-bearing concretion, possibly containing a fossil shell or other organic inclusion
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Fossiliferous Sedimentary Rock
Sedimentary limestone with invertebrate fossil imprint
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Sandstone or Siltstone
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