Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed primarily of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), formed from the accumulated remains of marine organisms such as coral, shells, and foraminifera. Over geological time, layers of calcareous sediment compact and lithify into the dense stone used worldwide in construction and industry.
As a building material, limestone has been quarried for millennia — from the pyramids of Egypt to medieval cathedrals across Europe. Crushed limestone serves as aggregate in concrete and road foundations, while powdered limestone amends acidic soil by raising pH.
The calcium carbonate in limestone reacts with acid, making it essential in water treatment and flue gas desulfurization. Karst landscapes form when water dissolves limestone over millennia, creating caves, sinkholes, and underground rivers.
In Bali and the tropics, limestone outcrops support unique ecosystems with specialized flora adapted to alkaline substrates. Limestone connects geology, agriculture, and architecture as one of the most versatile natural materials on the planet.
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