Alabama Landscapes

Non-metallic Minerals

Table of Contents

UPsand and gravellimestone
 

 

Limestone and Dolomite

In 2003, forty-eight quarry operations extracted limestone or dolomite.  Most quarries were north of the Fall Line in the Paleozoic sedimentary rocks of the Valley and Ridge, Cumberland Plateau and Highland Rim physiographic sections (Figure LD1).  In all cases the carbonate rocks (collective name for all rocks composed of calcite or dolomite) have been exposed by erosion of younger rocks and therefore occur in the valleys.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure LD1.  Location of carbonate rocks and quarries in Alabama (Geological Survey of Alabama Information Series 64P, 1997)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Limestone and to a lesser extent dolomite are extremely useful rocks. Here are just some of their uses:

  • production of lime and cement
     
  • agriculture
     
  • crushed stone for construction, road building, rip rap
     
  • production of magnesium (dolomite)


In 2003, the cement industry generated about about 45% of the revenues from these rocks and crushed stone generated 37%

Figure L2. The Lehigh Cement Company's plant in Leeds, Jefferson county, is one of 5 cement-producing plants in the state. Three of the plants are located in Valley and Ridge Province, close to limestone quarries.  (Image © Mike Neilson)

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UPsand and gravellimestone