Travertine
“Hot spring architecture”
Sedimentary
Travertine is a form of limestone deposited by mineral-rich hot springs and geothermal waters. As heated, calcium-carbonate-saturated water reaches the surface and cools, it precipitates layers of banded, porous stone prized in architecture.
Composition
calcite, aragonite
Where Found
Pamukkale (Turkey), Tivoli (Italy), Yellowstone (USA), Huanglong (China)
Mohs Hardness
4-5
Fun Fact
The Colosseum in Rome was built primarily with travertine — an estimated 100,000 cubic meters of it, held together by 300 tonnes of iron clamps.
Test Your Knowledge
Why does travertine often contain plant leaf impressions and hollow tubes?
Related Specimens
Want to identify rocks yourself?