New Zealand Cenozoic limestones formed in a temperate climate, and therefore lack tropical elements such as corals. These microscope photographs illustrate different types of limestone formed of the remains of calcareous organisms that lived on the sea floor. Colourless carbonate cement fills the pore spaces between skeletal fragments.
Top left: Potikohua Limestone (Buller). Fragments are mainly bryozoa, with scattered foraminifera.
Top right: Te Aute Limestone (Hawkes Bay). Composed mainly of shell fragments and barnacle plates.
Bottom left: Ōtorohanga Limestone (Waikato). Mainly bryozoa and small foraminifera.
Bottom right: Orahiri Limestone (Waikato). Echinoid spine (centre) with bryozoa and foraminifera.
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Photograph by Cam Nelson
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