What is micrite?

Micrite is a type of limestone sediment that is composed of small, fine-grained particles (less than 4 microns in size) that are typically made up of calcite or aragonite. Micrite is formed through the precipitation of calcium carbonate from seawater, often in warm, shallow marine environments.

Micrite often occurs as a fine-grained matrix within limestone rocks, and can be seen as a dense, homogeneous material under a microscope. It is commonly found in marine sedimentary rocks such as chalk, coquina, and fossiliferous limestone.

Micrite is important in the field of geology because it can help determine the environment in which the limestone was formed, as well as provide information about the depositional processes that took place. Overall, micrite is an important component in understanding the history and geology of Earth's past environments.