Return to map

Return to picture

Read postcard

Palaeogeography of the Bath area

UK from space 160Ma years ago.

Pterosaur

Ichthyosaurs

Dinosaur

Great Oolite

Inferior Oolite

Current Bedding

Calcite

Calcite

Calcite or calcium carbonate is the major rock forming mineral in limestone. It is also the material that furs up the kettle in hard water areas. It can form large attractive crystals in veins and geodes or much finer crystals which act as a cement.

Calcium carbonate reacts with acid and so weakly acidic rainwater is slowly breaking down the calcite in the limestone in the Bath buildings.