sedimentary
Limestone
Calcareous sedimentary rock (CaCO3)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 3 on the Mohs scale, typically gray or white, dull to earthy luster, and reacts strongly with hydrochloric acid.
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 the Mohs scale, typically gray or white, dull to earthy luster, and reacts strongly with hydrochloric acid.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the accumulation of skeletal fragments from marine organisms or direct chemical precipitation in shallow marine environments over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction as aggregate for concrete, manufacturing cement, and in agricultural soil conditioning.
Geological facts
Limestone often contains well-preserved fossils of ancient marine life and makes up about 10 percent of the total volume of all sedimentary rocks on Earth.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its characteristic reaction to acid fizzing and soft, light-colored appearance; found globally in regions with ancient marine histories.
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