This microscopic view of limestone from Raglan shows the tiny sea creatures (in this case foraminifera) that make up the rock. Made of calcium carbonate, billions of skeletons and shells of ancient sea creatures have cemented together to form the rock. This process is continuous – the limestone of the future is slowly forming beneath the shallow seas of New Zealand as marine organisms die and sink to the sea floor.
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GNS Science
Reference:
CN04632/8
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