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What is Limestone?

Limestone is a sedimentary rock that is made from various oceans coming and going over thousands of years. These Inland seas left seashells behind, which became compressed over time.

The main mineral in limestone is calcium carbonate.

Facts about Limestone

• If you look closely at limestone, you may be able to see seashells and fossils as a result of the oceans coming together.
• Lines that run across the wall are called strata or partings, and lines that run across the ceiling are called joints. This is where water enters the cavern from above. Formations will eventually occur as a result of this.
• The limestone in this area is part of the Cincinnati Arch.
• The limestone was blasted out and then hauled outside to be crushed. Crushed limestone is suitable for drainage projects and even landscaping.
• Limestone makes up 10% of all the rock on our planet.
• Limestone is an extremely hard rock. When you drive across the Ohio River Bridge, you are driving across approximately 1 foot of limestone that has a strength of about 5,000lbs. per square inch. The limestone here can hold up to 60,000lbs. per square inch. You could stack every building in Louisville, Kentucky above our head, and the ceiling would not crack.
• This cavern is one of the safest places to be in any type of disaster, including an earthquake. This is due to the fact that the rock in this cavern runs horizontally, and during an earthquake the rock would just rub back and forth.
• The reason Kentucky horses are some of the best race horses is because of the calcium carbonate in the limestone. The horses eat the grass that grows above the limestone and in return the calcium carbonate is hardening their bones just like it does to us when we drink milk.