Wetterstein limestone
Encyclopedia
Wetterstein limestone and Wetterstein dolomite (Wettersteindolomit) are the most common names for a carbonate
rock from the Middle Triassic
epoch of the Ladinian
stage, comparable to the German stage in which muschelkalk
rock strata were formed.
Its subforms include: Messerstich limestone, Schlern dolomite, Marmolata limestone, Steinalm limestone and Ramsau dolomite.
The rock is found in the whole of the Alps
, in many places as limestone
(calcium carbonate
), in many others as dolomite
with a further element made of magnesium carbonate
.
Because, during dolomitization
, traces of fossils are largely lost as a result of recrystallization, fossils in Wetterstein dolomite are harder to distinguish, and even in thin sections may be barely recognizable. Wetterstein dolomite is rarely as bituminous as typical main dolomite (Dolomia Principale Formation
) and therefore tends to be much more pure and brighter-coloured. Otherwise, there are no fundamental differences with the Wetterstein limestone.
The rock gets its name from the Wetterstein mountains, because Wetterstein limestone has formed particularly big mountains here. The centre of its distribution, however, is in the Karwendel mountains. In many areas there is a frequent alternation of limestone and dolomite facies.
Carbonate
In chemistry, a carbonate is a salt of carbonic acid, characterized by the presence of the carbonate ion, . The name may also mean an ester of carbonic acid, an organic compound containing the carbonate group C2....
rock from the Middle Triassic
Middle Triassic
In the geologic timescale, the Middle Triassic is the second of three epochs of the Triassic period or the middle of three series in which the Triassic system is divided. It spans the time between 245 ± 1.5 Ma and 228 ± 2 Ma...
epoch of the Ladinian
Ladinian
The Ladinian is a stage and age in the Middle Triassic series or epoch. It spans the time between 237 ± 2 Ma and 228 ± 2 Ma...
stage, comparable to the German stage in which muschelkalk
Muschelkalk
The Muschelkalk is a sequence of sedimentary rock strata in the geology of central and western Europe. It has a Middle Triassic age and forms the middle part of the Germanic Trias, that further consists of the Buntsandstein and Keuper...
rock strata were formed.
Its subforms include: Messerstich limestone, Schlern dolomite, Marmolata limestone, Steinalm limestone and Ramsau dolomite.
The rock is found in the whole of the Alps
Alps
The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
, in many places as limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
(calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound with the formula CaCO3. It is a common substance found in rocks in all parts of the world, and is the main component of shells of marine organisms, snails, coal balls, pearls, and eggshells. Calcium carbonate is the active ingredient in agricultural lime,...
), in many others as dolomite
Dolostone
Dolostone or dolomite rock is a sedimentary carbonate rock that contains a high percentage of the mineral dolomite. In old U.S.G.S. publications it was referred to as magnesian limestone. Most dolostone formed as a magnesium replacement of limestone or lime mud prior to lithification. It is...
with a further element made of magnesium carbonate
Dolomite
Dolomite is a carbonate mineral composed of calcium magnesium carbonate CaMg2. The term is also used to describe the sedimentary carbonate rock dolostone....
.
Because, during dolomitization
Dolomitization
Dolomitization is a process by which dolomite is formed when magnesium ions replace calcium ions in calcite. It is common for this alteration into dolomite to take place due to evaporation of water in the sabkha area. Dolomitization involves substantial amount of recrystallization...
, traces of fossils are largely lost as a result of recrystallization, fossils in Wetterstein dolomite are harder to distinguish, and even in thin sections may be barely recognizable. Wetterstein dolomite is rarely as bituminous as typical main dolomite (Dolomia Principale Formation
Dolomia Principale Formation
The Dolomia Principale Formation is a Mesozoic geologic formation. Fossil prosauropod tracks have been reported from the formation.-See also:* List of dinosaur-bearing rock formations** List of stratigraphic units with sauropodomorph tracks...
) and therefore tends to be much more pure and brighter-coloured. Otherwise, there are no fundamental differences with the Wetterstein limestone.
The rock gets its name from the Wetterstein mountains, because Wetterstein limestone has formed particularly big mountains here. The centre of its distribution, however, is in the Karwendel mountains. In many areas there is a frequent alternation of limestone and dolomite facies.
Sources
- McCann, Tom (2008). The Geology of Central Europe: Mesozoic and Cenozoic, Vol. 2, Geological Society; Pap/Cdr edition (Sep 2008) , ISBN 978-1-86239-265-6