Where is Fossiliferous Limestone found?
Limestone with fossils (likely bryozoans and crinoids)
Got a photo? Identify rocks instantly with the Rockby app
Open the appFossiliferous Limestone occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Fossiliferous Limestone
North America
Extensive deposits are found in the Midwestern United States (e.g., Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Iowa, Missouri) from the Paleozoic Era, particularly Mississippian and Pennsylvanian periods, rich in crinoids and bryozoans. Also common in the Appalachian Basin and parts of Texas and Florida (Cenozoic).
Europe
Significant occurrences in the United Kingdom (e.g., Carboniferous Limestone), France, Germany, and Italy, often with diverse fossil assemblages including ammonites, belemnites, and bivalves from Mesozoic sequences.
Asia
Found in various regions, including China, India, and Southeast Asia, with deposits spanning different geological ages and containing a range of marine fossils.
Australia
Occurs in several states, including Western Australia and Queensland, with notable Paleozoic and Mesozoic marine fossil records.
Collecting tips
- Look for outcrops in sedimentary basins. Fossiliferous limestones are typically found in areas with exposed sedimentary rock layers, often in road cuts, quarries, riverbeds, and coastal cliffs.
- Identify marine depositional environments. Focus on geological maps that indicate ancient shallow marine or reef environments, as these are prime locations for fossiliferous limestone formation.
- Perform acid test. A drop of dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) will cause vigorous effervescence (fizzing) on the rock surface, confirming the presence of calcium carbonate. This is a key diagnostic test for limestone.
- Examine for visible fossils. Carefully inspect the rock surface for recognizable skeletal remains or impressions of marine organisms. A hand lens can be very useful for identifying smaller fossils like bryozoan fragments or crinoid ossicles.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Light (white, gray, tan)
- Luster:
- Dull to earthy
- Streak:
- White
Explore Fossiliferous Limestone
Identify rocks anywhere
Free on iOS, Android, and Web. Photo identification, full database, and your personal collection.