Marble
| Metamorphic rock | |
Marble | |
| Composition | |
|---|---|
| Mostly calcite or dolomite | |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Fabric | Typically not foliated |
| Relationships | |
| Protoliths | carbonate minerals, Limestone, Dolomite |
Marble is a metamorphic rock consisting of carbonate minerals (most commonly calcite (CaCO3) or dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2) that have recrystallized under the influence of heat and pressure. It has a crystalline texture, and is typically not foliated (layered), although there are exceptions.
In geology, the term marble refers to metamorphosed limestone, but its use in stonemasonry more broadly encompasses unmetamorphosed limestone.
The extraction of marble is performed by quarrying. Marble production is dominated by four countries: China, Italy, India and Spain, which account for almost half of world production of marble and decorative stone.
Because of its high hardness and strong wear resistance, and because it will not be deformed by temperature, marble is often used in sculpture and construction.