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 through the accumulation of organic debris like shells and coral or chemical precipitation in shallow marine environments over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction as crushed stone for road base, aggregate in concrete, and in the production of cement and agriculture lime.
Geological facts
Limestone frequently contains well-preserved fossils of ancient marine organisms and can form massive cave systems through dissolution by acidic groundwater.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its characteristic soft texture and immediate fizzing reaction when exposed to cold dilute acid.
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