Travertine
Image: “Jon Zander (<a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Digon3" title="User:Digon3">Digon3</a>)" (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NameTravertine
Chemical FormulaCaCO3
Mohs Hardness3
Crystal Systemtrigonal
Lusterdull
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagenone
Fractureuneven
Specific Gravity2.4
Colorscream, light yellow, white
Transparencyopaque
Type LocalityTivoli, Italy
Mineral GroupCarbonates
Usesbuilding material, decorative stone, sculptures
Associated Mineralscalcite, aragonite, iron oxides
Raritycommon
Description
This image shows a light yellowish-cream, highly porous rock with an irregular, textured surface, characterized by numerous small to medium-sized cavities and channels.
Geological Context
Travertine is a terrestrial sedimentary rock, a form of limestone deposited by mineral springs, especially hot springs. It forms when calcium carbonate precipitates from supersaturated geothermal or ambient temperature waters.
