The White Cliffs of Dover are made of chalk, a form of calcite.
Calcite is a hexagonal mineral formed from calcium carbonate and it is found in sedimentary rock. Some common forms of calcite include marble, limestone and chalk. The White Cliffs of Dover in Great Britain offer an example of a calcite deposit.
Physical Properties of Calcite
Calcite is a soft rock.
Calcite contains calcium carbonate, which has a molecular formula of CaCO3 with a molecular weight of 100.09. These stones are soft and can be scratched with a knife. The rocks are soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid.
Calcite in Caves
Stalagmites in caves are a form of calcite.
Rain water reacts with decaying leaves, becoming slightly acidic and forming carbonic acid. It percolates through the aquifer, dissolving rocks. It drips into caves and dries, leaving behind calcium carbonate deposits that eventually form stalagmites and stalactites.
Calcite Deposits
Limestone deposits also form at the bottom of oceans.
Old seabeds offer another source of calcite. The bodies of crustaceans are rich in calcium. As crustaceans die, they get deposited on the ocean floor. Acidic seawater, time and pressure turn the bodies into limestone deposits.
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