sedimentary
Fossiliferous Limestone
CaCO3 (principally Calcite or Aragonite)
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: typically light gray, tan, or white; Luster: dull to earthy matrix with potentially shiny fossil surfaces; Structure: clastic or biogenic with visible marine fossils; Reacts strongly (fizzes) with dilute hydrochloric acid.
- Hardness
- 3 on Mohs scale
- Color
- typically light gray, tan, or white
- Luster
- dull to earthy matrix with potentially shiny fossil surfaces
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: typically light gray, tan, or white; Luster: dull to earthy matrix with potentially shiny fossil surfaces; Structure: clastic or biogenic with visible marine fossils; Reacts strongly (fizzes) with dilute hydrochloric acid.
Formation & geological history
Formed in shallow, calm, warm marine waters where the accumulation of calcium carbonate shells, skeletons, and organic debris is compacted and cemented over geological time (primarily during the Phanerozoic eon).
Uses & applications
Used in the production of cement, as a building stone (dimension stone), as crushed stone for road base, and for agricultural soil treatment. High-quality fossil specimens are used for education and collecting.
Geological facts
Many of the world's most famous landmarks, including the Great Pyramids of Giza and the exterior of the Empire State Building, are constructed from limestone or have limestone components. Specifically, this specimen contains brachiopod or bivalve fossils.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by checking for an abundance of visible fossils and performing an acid test. Look for it in areas that were once prehistoric seabeds, such as the Midwestern United States or the Jurassic Coast of England.
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