Limestone Turns To Marble

What is the process of metamorphism when limestone turns into marble.

Limestone turns to marble.

Marble is a metamorphic rock that forms when limestone is subjected to the heat and pressure of metamorphism. Marble is formed through the metamorphism of limestone. When limestone is buried and put under intense heat and pressure why does it turn to marble instead of thermally decomposing into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide. I m doing an essay and i need a detailed explanation of how limestone is turned to marble.

This process is called recrystallization. Fossilized materials in the limestone along with its original carbonate minerals recrystallise and form large coarse grains of calcite. Limestone generally ranks at around a 3 on the scale while marble falls between 3 and 4. Polished marble and limestone will lose their gloss and become matt.

Marble is formed from limestone by heat and pressure in the earth s crust. They appear to be bleached out. I know that it needs to be put under great heat and pressure but i want to know what kind of heat and what kind of pressure. The fact that marble gleams white and reflects object informs us that it has gone through the metamorphic stage withstanding heat water.

When the heat and pressure hits the limestone calcite seed crystals form. With continued metamorphism these crystal seeds grow while any clay deposits in the limestone transform into silicate structures such as mica. Because marble is a fairly soft material only a three on the mohs hardness scale it is easy to cut and carve. When sulfurous sulfuric and nitric acids in polluted air and rain react with the calcite in marble and limestone the calcite dissolves.

Stone surface material may be lost all over or only in spots that are more reactive. These forces cause the limestone to change in texture and makeup. Stack exchange network stack exchange network consists of 177 q a communities including stack overflow the largest most trusted online community for developers to learn share. It is composed primarily of the mineral calcite caco 3 and usually contains other minerals such as clay minerals micas quartz pyrite iron oxides and graphite under the conditions of metamorphism the calcite in the limestone recrystallizes to form a rock that is.

Marble and limestone lie at the opposite end of the hardness scale from granite.