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Coral reefs are built by millions of coral polyps, small colonial animals resembling overturned jellyfish. They excrete an exoskeleton made of calcium carbonate, which forms their distinctive shapes as a colony. Thousands of coral colonies build up over time to form the reef.

After an extensive period of time, the reef may die off, perhaps because the conditions of the environment change for the worse for the corals. Since reefs often form in conditions where there is a lot of water movement (because the water is more oxygenated in these areas), if the colony is no longer being sustained by living polyps the colonies break up. Reefs can still break up when the coral is still alive if the conditions are severe. Sedimentation and cementation occurs as calcium carbonate precipitates out of the water and of the exoskeletons of the coral.

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What are the types of limestone?

The main types of limestone are chalk, coral limestone, travertine, and tufa. Chalk is soft and white, coral limestone contains coral and other marine organisms, travertine is formed by hot springs, and tufa is a porous rock formed by calcium-rich water.


How is coral limestone different from other types of limestone?

Coral limestone is formed almost completely from the calcitic skeletons of individual coral polyp colonies. Other limestones can be formed from the shells of marine organisms or be formed from the precipitation of calcite from a saturated solution, or a combination of the two. Chemically, they're pretty much the same.


What are the types of limestone in the Caribbean?

The two main types of limestone found in the Caribbean are coral limestone, formed from the skeletal remains of marine organisms like coral, and oolitic limestone, composed of small round grains called ooids. These limestone types are common in the region due to the prevalence of coral reefs and marine environments that have existed there over millions of years.


In which type of sendimentary rock will you find embedded seashells?

You are likely to find embedded seashells in limestone, which is a type of sedimentary rock formed from the accumulation of coral, shells, and other organic material.


Which rock was formed from skeleton and shells of sea animals and plants?

Limestone is a rock that is formed from the skeletal remains of sea animals and plants. It is primarily composed of calcium carbonate, which is derived from the shells and skeletons of marine organisms such as coral, mollusks, and foraminifera. Over time, these remains accumulate and become compacted and cemented to form limestone rock.

Related Questions

Were the Bahamas formed by coral?

Yes, the Bahamas were formed by coral reefs that have accumulated over thousands of years. The islands are composed of limestone rock formed from the skeletons of coral polyps and other marine organisms.


What are the types of limestone?

The main types of limestone are chalk, coral limestone, travertine, and tufa. Chalk is soft and white, coral limestone contains coral and other marine organisms, travertine is formed by hot springs, and tufa is a porous rock formed by calcium-rich water.


How is coral limestone different from other types of limestone?

Coral limestone is formed almost completely from the calcitic skeletons of individual coral polyp colonies. Other limestones can be formed from the shells of marine organisms or be formed from the precipitation of calcite from a saturated solution, or a combination of the two. Chemically, they're pretty much the same.


What is sedimentary rock formed from deposites of shells?

Limestone. However most large masses of limestone formed from coral reefs, not shells. The shell fossils in this limestone are "incidentals" due to shell dwelling organisms living on the periphery of the reef, not the bulk of the limestone.


What is the underwater buildup of limestone skeletons from certain small animals?

This is how coral reefs are formed. Coral will take salt from the sea and utilize it to create limestone skeletons on underwater objects.


What is underwater buildup of limestone skeletons from certain small animals?

This is how coral reefs are formed. Coral will take salt from the sea and utilize it to create limestone skeletons on underwater objects.


What type of sedimentary rock formed from the remains of coral and sea shells?

Limestone and chalk.


Where is limestone quarried?

Limestone is often sedimentary, formed of calcite in the form of shells and coral. So it's found where there used to be an ocean.


Islands formed by limestone animal skeletons?

Islands formed by limestone animal skeletons are called atolls. These structures are typically circular or oval shaped with a lagoon in the middle, and they are found in tropical regions with coral reefs. Atolls begin as volcanic islands and gradually sink as coral grows on the surrounding reefs, leaving a ring of limestone behind.


What is a good sentence for limestone?

My kitchen counter is made from limestone.


What Sedimentary rock formed from deposits of shell?

Limestone. However most large masses of limestone formed from coral reefs, not shells. The shell fossils in this limestone are "incidentals" due to shell dwelling organisms living on the periphery of the reef, not the bulk of the limestone.


What are the types of limestone in the Caribbean?

The two main types of limestone found in the Caribbean are coral limestone, formed from the skeletal remains of marine organisms like coral, and oolitic limestone, composed of small round grains called ooids. These limestone types are common in the region due to the prevalence of coral reefs and marine environments that have existed there over millions of years.