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Q

How is limestone formed ?

A

Limestone is an organically formed sedimentary rock

Made from the remains of dead sea creatures

Formed in shallow seas 350 to 300 million years ago when Ireland lay close to the equator

Over time dead bodies of sea creatures accumulated

Over time the weight of the sediments compressed the grain together

Water was pushed out of the pore spaces between the grains of sediments and gradually the grains were cemented together with calcium carbonate(calcite) from the shells

The remains of shells are seen as fossils

The process by which the loose grains of sediment are turned to rock is called lithification

Because limestone is a sedimentary rock it contains horizontal layers also known as strata which are separated by flat surfaces called bedding planes

Vertical cracks called joints are present, formed when earth movement folded and split the rock

Limestone is a permeable pervasive rock