sedimentary
Limestone
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 3 on the Mohs scale, colors range from white to gray and tan, dull to earthy luster, and reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 3 on the Mohs scale, colors range from white to gray and tan, dull to earthy luster, and reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the accumulation of skeletal fragments of marine organisms or chemical precipitation of calcium carbonate in shallow marine environments over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in the manufacture of cement, production of lime, road base construction, and as a dimension stone in architecture.
Geological facts
Limestone frequently contains well-preserved fossils and forms dramatic landscapes such as caves and sinkholes through the process of karstification.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its characteristic gray color, fine-grained texture, and effervescence when exposed to acid; found globally in sedimentary basins.
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