sedimentary
Fossiliferous Limestone
Carbonate sedimentary rock (CaCO3)
Hardness: 3-4 (Mohs scale), Color: tan to light brown, Luster: dull to earthy, Texture: clastic/fragmental with visible biological cavities
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3-4 (Mohs scale), Color: tan to light brown, Luster: dull to earthy, Texture: clastic/fragmental with visible biological cavities
Formation & geological history
Formed in shallow marine environments from the accumulation of calcium carbonate and skeletal fragments of organisms (corals, shells, algae) over millions of years, typically during the Paleozoic or Mesozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Used in construction for road base, concrete aggregate, lime production, and as an architectural building stone.
Geological facts
This specimen appears to be 'honeycomb' or vuggy limestone, often formed when softer materials or fossils within the rock dissolve, leaving behind a porous structure. It is a major carbon sink for the Earth's atmosphere.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its reaction to dilute hydrochloric acid (it will fizz) and the presence of small holes or fossil imprints. Commonly found in areas that were ancient seafloors.
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