Is Oolitic Limestone Clastic?

No, oolitic limestone is not classified as clastic. Instead, it is considered a chemical sedimentary rock.

Oolitic limestone is primarily composed of ooids, which are small, spherical grains that form from calcium carbonate. These grains typically develop in warm, shallow marine environments, where conditions allow for the precipitation of calcium carbonate around a nucleus, such as a sand grain or shell fragment.

In contrast, clastic sedimentary rocks are made up of fragments of other rocks and minerals that have been physically weathered and transported from their original location. Examples include sandstone, shale, and conglomerate. The key difference lies in the formation process—while clastic rocks result from physical processes, oolitic limestone forms through chemical processes in water.

In summary, though both types of rock are sedimentary, oolitic limestone is classified as a chemical sedimentary rock due to its formation mechanism and composition.

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