Where is Fossiliferous Limestone found?
Limestone with trace fossils (borings)
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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 in the Appalachian Basin (e.g., Ordovician limestones), Midcontinent United States (e.g., Mississippian and Pennsylvanian limestones), and Florida (e.g., Cenozoic limestones).
Europe
Common in the Jurassic and Cretaceous limestones of the Paris Basin, the Alps, and the Mediterranean region. Famous examples include the Solnhofen Limestone (Germany) and various limestones in the UK.
Asia
Significant occurrences in China (e.g., Cambrian and Ordovician limestones), India, and Southeast Asia.
Australia
Found in various sedimentary basins, including the Canning Basin and the Great Artesian Basin.
Collecting tips
- Look for Outcrops. Search in areas known for sedimentary rock exposures, such as road cuts, quarries, riverbeds, and coastal cliffs. Limestones are often resistant to erosion and form prominent features.
- Examine Rock Surfaces Closely. Borings can be subtle. Look for circular, oval, or irregular holes and tunnels, often with distinct margins, within the rock matrix or within larger fossil fragments (e.g., bivalve shells, corals). A hand lens can be very useful.
- Acid Test (Caution). A small drop of dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) will cause calcite (the main component of limestone) to effervesce (fizz) vigorously. This confirms it is limestone. Always use caution with acids and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Consult Geological Maps. Geological maps indicate the distribution of different rock types, including limestone formations, in specific regions.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Variable (white, gray, tan, brown, black)
- Luster:
- Dull to earthy
- Streak:
- White
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