Carmel Formation
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The Carmel Formation is a geologic formation in the San Rafael Group that is spread across the U.S. states of Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, north east Arizona and New Mexico. Part of the Colorado Plateau, this formation was laid down in the Middle Jurassic during the late Bajocian, through the Bathonian and into the early Callovian stages.
Carmel Formation exposed at Gunlock Reservoir, southwestern Utah
Carmel Formation near Gunlock, Utah. The unconformably overlying dark unit is the Upper Cretaceous Iron Springs Formation.
The Golden Throne, a rock formation in Capitol Reef National Park. Though the park is famous for white domes of the Navajo Sandstone, this dome's color is a result of a lingering section of yellow Carmel Formation carbonate, which has stained the underlying rock.
Cross-section of a carbonate hardground encrusted by oysters and bored by bivalves (Gastrochaenolites)
Limestone
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Limestone is a type of carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material lime. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of CaCO3. Limestone forms when these minerals precipitate out of water containing dissolved calcium. This can take place through both biological and nonbiological processes, though biological processes, such as the accumulation of corals and shells in the sea, have likely been more important for the last 540 million years. Limestone often contains fossils which provide scientists with information on ancient environments and on the evolution of life.
Limestone outcrop in the Torcal de Antequera nature reserve of Málaga, Spain
This limestone deposit in the karst of Dinaric Alps near Sinj, Croatia, was formed in the Eocene.
Ooids from a beach on Joulter's Cay, The Bahamas
Ooids in limestone of the Carmel Formation (Middle Jurassic) of southwestern Utah.