sedimentary
Soft Limestone
Calcite-rich Sedimentary Rock (CaCO3)
Hardness: 3 (Mohs scale); Color: Cream, white, or light gray; Luster: Dull to earthy; Texture: Fine-grained to clastic; Reacts strongly with diluted hydrochloric acid.
- Hardness
- 3 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Cream, white, or light gray
- Luster
- Dull to earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 (Mohs scale); Color: Cream, white, or light gray; Luster: Dull to earthy; Texture: Fine-grained to clastic; Reacts strongly with diluted hydrochloric acid.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the accumulation of shell, coral, algal, and fecal debris in warm, shallow marine waters. Can also form through chemical precipitation from calcium-rich water.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in the production of cement, as a building stone, in road construction (aggregate), and in agriculture to neutralize soil acidity.
Geological facts
Limestone makes up about 10% of the total volume of all sedimentary rocks. It is the primary material found in caves, as it is easily dissolved by slightly acidic groundwater to form karst topography.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its light color, gritty feel, and reaction to mild acid. Commonly found in areas that were once prehistoric seafloors. Collectors look for fossil inclusions within the matrix.
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