Sedimentary Geology, 76 (1992) 177-185 177

Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam

A revised classification of limestones

V.P. W r i g h t
Postgraduate Research Institute for Sedimentology, The University, P.O. Box 227, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 2AB, UK

(Received July 25, 1991; revised version accepted November 25, 1991)

ABSTRACT

Wright, V.P., 1992. A revised classification of limestones. Sediment. Geol., 76: 177-185.

The most widely used classifications of limestones are now thirty years old and our appreciation of the diagenetic effects
on limestone textures is now much greater. A revision of the classifications of Dunham (1962) and Embry and Klovan (1971)
is offered and new "diagenetic" categories are proposed. The confusing term lime mudstone is replaced by caicimudstone.
Two categories of diagenetic textures are recognized: non-obliterative and obliterative. The former contains limestones
which are almost wholly composed of diagenetic cement (cementstones) and those whose fabric is the result of intergranular
pressure solution (condensed and fitted grainstones). Obliterative categories include limestones and dolomites whose
original fabric has been destroyed; sub-categories include sparstones (or dolosparstones) (crystals > 10 /~m in size) and
microsparstones (dolomicrosparstones) (crystals 4-10 ~ m in size) and doloniicrostones crystals ( < 4 /~m in size). Many
diagenetic processes can produce fabrics which mimic depositional ones and these are reviewed.

Introduction stimulate discussion on the suitability of our exist-

ing classifications and help those new to the
It has been thirty years since the main classifi- subject to avoid the many problems which arise in
cations of limestones were introduced by Folk naming and interpreting carbonate textures.
(1959, 1962) and Dunham (1962). These have
been, and still are, widely used and their success Factors influencing limestone composition
is a tribute to their originators. However, over the
last three decades our understanding of the litho- The textures seen in most limestones are the
genesis of carbonates has changed greatly, partic- result of the interplay of three factors: deposi-
ularly our appreciation of diagenetic processes tional regime, biological activity and diagenesis
and their products. (Fig. 1). The majority of limestones have a depo-
The aim of this paper is to attempt to provide sitional texture while others exhibit ones due
a revie " of the major limestone textural types
(depositional, biological and diagenetic) and to
integrate them into a single system. This involves Biological
utilising earlier classifications and incorporating
some new categories. The significance of some
textural forms is also reviewed in the light of
more recent research and terminological prob-
lems which have arisen will be addressed.
The paper is not intended as a new classifica-
tion but as a revision of existing ones brought
about by our increased appreciation of diagenetic Depositional Oiagenetic
processes. It is offered in the hope that it will Fig. 1. Major processes influencing limestone texture.

0037-0738/92/$05.00 1992 - Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. All rights reserved

178 v.P. WRIGHT

DEPOSITIONAL BIOLOGICAL DIAGENETIC

Matrix-supported Obliter-
[clay & silt grade) Groin-supported In situ organisms Non-obliterotive -ative
<lO%groins >iO%gtalns with motrix no matrix Entrusting Organisms Rigid Main Manygroin Most (jtoin Crystals
binding acted to organisms component ."ontactsoe :ontactsare >lO/um
organisms baffle dominant is cement 'nlcrostylol- microstylol-
-ires -ites

Colci - Wockestone F~ckntone Grainstone Boundltone Bafflestone Framestone ~ementstom Condensed F i t t e d Sporstone
-mudstone grainstone grainetone

Rudstone

. . . . . .
1L . . . . . .
Grains >2ram

Fig. 2. Revised classification of limestones (see text).

totally to diagenesis. The degree of diagenetic grains (mudstone), from those with more than
alteration of the depositional texture (regardless 10% grains, but mud-supported (wackestone),
of mineralogical or chemical changes) may simply from those with matrix but now grain-supported
consist of compaction, while the process of neo- (packstones).
morphic recrystallization and replacement can Distinguishing grain-support from matrix-sup-
cause total obliteration of the original fabric. port is a fundamental feature of Dunham's classi-
Biological processes influence texture to varying fication but is complicated because of the two-di-
degrees but it is usually only in reefs that these mensional aspect of viewing rocks in slabs or thin
become the dominant control on texture. sections. Even in a grain-supported rock not ev-
The following sections review each of the ma- ery grain is in direct contact along every surface
jor groups of limestones and discuss the major and sections will show some grains apparently
categories used in the revised classification (Fig. "floating" in matrix, cement or pore space. Irreg-
2). ularly shaped grains may form a self-supporting
framework with as little as 20-30% of the volume
Depositional textural groups being grain, with few visible points of contact.
Rocks which are truly grain-supported have pack-
The extensively used classifications of lime- ing indices of around 1.2 although assessing this
stones of Folk (1959, 1962) and Dunham (1962) can be difficult (Harrell, 1981; Fliigel, 1982) and
rely on the concept of textural maturity, where pressure solution can radically alter the packing
the texture is believed to reflect the energy level structure of a rock (see below).
in the depositional environment. Other classifica-
tions have also used this concept, e.g. those of
Leighton and Pendexter (1962), Bissell and Matrix and matrix-rich limestones
Chilingar (1967) and Fiichtbauer (1974). Put sim-
ply, limestones possessing a fine-grained "mud" Some confusion has arisen as to exactly what is
matrix must have been deposited in lower-energy, meant by matrix (Milliman et al., 1985). Dunham
less agitated conditions than "clean" granular (1962) considered "mud" to refer to particles
limestones, which had any matrix, if originally smaller than 20 /zm. Folk (1959, 1962) regarded
present, removed. An additional consideration micrite (microcrystalline calcite ooze) as calcite
was whether the matrix was dominant, leading to with grains 1-4 /~m in diameter. However, the
a mud-supported rock, or whether the grains term mud, as used in descriptions of modern
were mutually supporting each other. Dunham's carbonate sediments, commonly refers to mate-
classification (1962), the most widely used one, rial of silt and clay grade, that is less than 62/zm
distinguishes mud-rich rocks with less than 10% in diameter. Some consistency is required here
A R E V I S E D CLASSIFICATION OF L I M E S T O N E S 179

and perhaps the 62-/xm boundary is a desirable under low-energy conditions. However, it is now
one. clear that at least some fine-grained carbonates
The terms currently used for matrix-dominated are precipitated as cement (Reid et al., 1990). In
limestones include micrites (from Folk, 1959, calcretes, precipitated micrite-grade carbonate is
1962) or mudstone (Dunham, 1962). The use of very common and results in secondary packstones
the latter term poses problems for it can easily be to mudstones (calcimudstones). Solution-precipi-
confused with the term for silicate silt and clay tation processes in calcretes can result in grain-
material. It is suggested that this somewhat am- supported sediments being replaced by micrite-
biguous term be replaced by the term calcimud- grade calcite (Read, 1974a; Seminiuk and
stone (Fig. 2) which refers to a lithified material Meagher, 1981) (Fig. 3).
composed of greater than 90%, by volume, silt and Wackestones and calcimudstones, while classi-
clay-grade calcite. It is not synonymous with Folk's fied here as being predominantly depositional in
micrite. origin, are not analogous to their counterparts in
The usual interpretation of these matrix-rich siliciclastic rocks, where hydraulic processes
rocks is that they represent deposition of mud would not lead to the deposition of such coarse

TEXTURAL INVERSION IN
PEDOGENIC CARBONATES

Micriticparent Grainstoneparent
' " " - ' i ~ " - ' " "~-~'"! circum-

l:
". ~'.~"'..::'!~ "..-~r"granular
"" ":/:(: ".~" ".-I fractures
!l
m,or,,,c
gs

peloid

~ micriticcoatings
Diagenetic grainstone Diagenetic packstone
Fig. 3. Textural inversion in calcretes. The addition of precipitated micrite results in diagenetic packstones. Later dissolutional-pre-
cipitation leads to the replacement of grains and diagenetic calcimudstone textures. Multiple phases of boring, sedimentation and
cementation in reefs also leads to the replacement of primary textures by calcimudstonetextures (see text).
180 v.P. WRIGHT

and fine materials. Many limestones contain both rial between the larger clasts could be noted
mud-grade matrix and large bioclasts. As such separately; for example, a rudstone could be de-
they represent the interaction of biological and scribed as having a grainstone or packstone ma-
hydraulic processes, where the bioclasts were ei- trix. However, the use of two terms to describe
ther derived from settling out from the above one texture seems excessive and many rudstones
water column, or from the mixing of the compo- only exhibit intergranular cements. The term rud-
nents by bioturbation, from in-situ benthos. The stone may require refinement.
paucity or absence of bioclasts to produce a cal-
cimudstone typically reflects restriction, deterring Textural maturity and depositional regime
colonisation by benthic organisms.
As stated above, some limestones have matri-
Grain-dominated limestones ces which are actually diagenetic in origin. In
those with a recognizable depositional matrix it
Packstones are grain-supported but have inter- should be possible to infer the relative energy
granular spaces filled by matrix, and present a conditions of the depositional environment; with
particular problem. In bioclastic calcimudstones matrix implying lower-energy conditions, without
and wackestones much of the grain population matrix implying higher energy. However, this is
could represent in-situ organisms but in pack- not always a valid approach; for example, many
stones a problem arises as to how matrix can be organisms, especially non-skeletal (and non-pre-
introduced into a grain-supported structure. It servable) ones such as microbial mats and sea-
seems likely that many packstones have resulted grasses, are associated with sediments out-of-
from compaction and dewatering of original phase with the hydraulic regime in which they
wackestones (Shinn and Robbin, 1983). form. Benthic microbial mats are capable of sta-
Many limestones show variations in the types bilizing grain populations in settings where ambi-
of textures seen, with mixtures of grain-, pack- ent currents are capable of easily transporting the
and wackestone in close proximity. Some of these grains (Neumann et al., 1970; Scoffin, 1970), and
would correspond to Folk's "poorly washed seagrasses also have this ability (Scoffin, 1970).
biosparites" (Folk, 1962). In many cases such In Shark Bay, Western Australia the density of
mixed textures have resulted from bioturbation. seagrass colonization, and not the energy level,
Grainstones are grain-supported, matrix-free controls the nature of the sediment maturity. For
limestones and generally represent deposition in example, in some relatively low-energy areas
settings where mud-grade matrix would have been skeletal grainstone and minor packstone textures
removed. However, grainstones can also be pro- form under a less dense seagrass cover resulting
duced diagenetically, especially in carbonate muds in little baffling of fine sediment. In high-energy
which undergo desiccation on exposure. This pro- areas a more dense seagrass cover leads to more
cess is known as grainification and is a common efficient baffling and the sediment has a matrix
process in peritidal, paludal and pedogenic car- content (material less than 62/zm) of up to 30%
bonates (Mazzullo and Birdwell, 1989; Wright, (Davies, 1970; Read, 1974b).
1990). This results in complete textural inversion Perhaps one of the most significant problems
(Fig. 3). in interpreting energy levels from ancient lime-
Embry and Klovan (1971) introduced a classifi- stones relates to reef matrices, and Reid et al.
cation designed to cover reef limestones. In it (1990) have recently stressed the importance of
they recognized two types of coarse-grained lime- micrite cements ("internal micrites") in reefs.
stones, with more than 10% grains larger 2 mm in These cements produce textures suggesting low-
diameter. These coarse-grained wackestones they energy deposition yet are most commonly pro-
named floatstones, while grain-supported lime- duced in higher-energy environments such as cur-
stones with grains larger than 2 mm they termed rent-swept reef fronts and hardgrounds. In reefs
rudstones. (Fig. 2). They suggested that the mate- high magnesian calcite can form micritic and
A R E V I S E D CLASSIFICATION O F L I M E S T O N E S 181

peloidal cements (peloids less than 60 ~m in demonstrate that the original organism baffled
diameter) (Friedman, 1985; Maclntyre, 1985; Reid sediment is virtually impossible. In many reefal
et al., 1990) and multiple phases of bioerosion, limestones the remains of sparsely spaced, in-situ
sedimentation and cementation result in the re- organisms are present, which, while not forming a
placement of reef frameworks by secondary cal- framestone, are likely to have influenced sedi-
cimudstones (James and Ginsburg, 1979; Land mentation in some way. The term bafflestone
and Moore, 1980; Longman, 1981; Lighty, 1985). could be used to describe such limestones where
the organisms were likely to have been capable of
Biogenic textural classes influencing sedimentation (Fig. 2). The terms is
retained here but future refinements may make it
While many limestones exhibit strongly biolog- obsolete.
ically influenced textures, some have textures
which are directly biogenic. Both Folk and Dun- Diagenetic textural classes
ham recognized this by the inclusion of the classes
biolithite and boundstone, respectively, in their Existing classifications have not included a dia-
classifications. Embry and Klovan (1971) recog- genetic aspect other than to recognize rocks in
nized the class of "bindstone" in their classifica- which the depositional texture was no longer rec-
tion of reef limestones. The terms boundstone ognizable, largely as a result of recrystallization
and bindstone may have originally had slightly a n d / o r replacement (e.g. Dunham's "crystalline
different meanings, but subsequent usage has limestones"). Many limestones classifiable as cal-
treated them as being synonymous. Since the cimudstones, wackestones, packstones and grain-
term boundstone is grammatically more correct, stones are the products of diagenetic processes
it is retained here to refer to rocks where the such as micritisation, micrite cementation or mi-
structure reflects the encrusting and binding ac- crite neomorphism to produce micro- or pseu-
tion of plants or animals. A distinction could be dospars. If such an origin is easily demonstrated,
made between boundstones composed solely of the limestones could be described, for example,
encrusting organisms (e.g. crustose coralline al- as diagenetic grainstones or diagenetic calcimud-
gae) and those which are composed of bound stones.
grainy or matrix-rich materials, such as some stro- Some reef limestones consist largely of re-
matolitic boundstones. Arguably many bound- placed, but recognizable, marine cements. These
stones are pure sheets of encrusting organism have been extensively documented from the up-
lacking any "bound" material, the products of per Palaeozoic and Triassic, especially from the
calcareous animals or plants which grew laterally. southwest United States and Europe (Mazzullo
Not all boundstones have a laminar structure and and Cys, 1979; Stemmerik, 1991; Toomey and
many branching calcimicrobes have acted as Babcock, 1983). In such reefs replaced aragonite
binders (James and Gravestock, 1990). botryoidal cements locally constitute 80% of the
In some limestones the rock is composed of rock. The origin of such cement is unclear but the
in-situ organisms forming a coherent frame and role of peyssonnelid algae is suspected (James et
Embry and Klovan referred to such limestones as al., 1988) and so these may be regarded, in part,
framestones. These can occur at a variety of as biogenic limestones (Fig. 4). Such material is
scales from metric-size coral heads to the mil- here referred to as c e m e n t s t o n e s (Fig. 2), the
limetre scale as in calcimicrobe reefs (Edwards term should not be confused with the informal
and Riding, 1989). Some organisms can act as term applied to limestones used in cement-mak-
binders and frame-builders and the terms can ing, or for concretionary horizons. It is defined
require careful application. here as a limestone composed almost totally of
Embry and Klovan (1971) recognized a class fibrous cement (commonly replaced a n d / o r re-
they termed baffiestone, for rocks formed by the crystallised), in which grains or in-situ biogenic
baffling action of organisms. Being able to material does not constitute a framework.
182 V.P. W R I G H T

Cementstone formation is a diagenetic process mosaics, with a crystal size of larger than 10/zm
but does not cause any alteration to the deposi- in diameter (following Folk, 1962), with mi-
tional or biological texture of the sediment. This crosparstones (Fig. 2) corresponding to mosaics in
is a non-obliterative diagenetic texture. the region of 4-10/xm. These terms apply equally
During burial, grain-supported textures can be well to replaced evaporites and dedolomites as to
modified by pressure solution. Partial grain sutur- altered limestones.
ing creates condensed grainstone textures where Physical reorganization can also affect original
many grain contacts are microstylolites. On more depositional fabrics. Grainification of calcimud-
extensive alteration virtually all the grain contacts stones to packstones, caused by desiccation, can
consist of microstylolites, forming a fitted grain- create grainstones (Mazzullo and Birdwell, 1989)
stone (Logan and Seminiuk, 1976) (Fig. 2). Pres- (Fig. 3). In other cases the displacive and re-
sure solution can effect a wide range of limestone placive growth of micrite cements, as in for exam-
types and a classification of the major effects has ple calcretes, results in the reverse type of textu-
been given by Wanless (1979). Such textures are ral inversion (Fig. 3). This presents something of
largely non-obliterative. a dilemma. A range of diagenetic processes, and
Limestones (not dolostones) which have lost especially those associated with pedogenesis, can
their depositional fabric as a result of complete create essentially diagenetic textures mimicking
obliterative recrystallization or replacement can depositional ones. As such the category of depo-
be divided into two types based on crystal size. sitional textures in Fig. 2 is simplistic. However, it
Sparstones (Fig. 2) are limestones composed of would be unwieldy to add a separate set of cate-
sparry calcite crystals, typically in inequant, blocky gories such as "pedogenic grainstone", or "reef

fromestone

boundstone

bofflesfone cementstone

colcimudstone

I c~.e( ~m e n t . ~ ~ sporstone
/ groinstone
packstone condgrai
ensnestdofitted
nes
Fig. 4. Majortexturalgroups and their relationships.
A R E V I S E D CLASSIFICATION O F L I M E S T O N E S 183

cement packstone" to the classification. It is ac- Additional terms can, of course, be added to
cepted that not all grainstones, for example, are describe the degree of sorting, rounding etc.
depositional (luckily most are) and if a grainstone Another means of subdividing the main lime-
is interpreted as being non-depositional, it could stone class types based on their grain composition
be termed a "diagenetic grainstone", but that is was introduced by Smosna (1987). He introduced
really interpretation rather than description. Of the concept of compositional maturity which is
course the placing of grainstone in the deposi- "the extent to which a sediment approaches the
tional category in Fig. 2 is also "interpretive" but constituent end-member (intraclasts, ooids, fos-
is done to try to illustrate the origin of most sils, matrix etc.) to which it is driven by the
grainstones. environmental processes operating upon it". Sed-
Dolomites represent a special category of dia- iments with a variety of components (e.g. ooids,
genetically altered limestones and they are cov- bioclasts, peloids) are considered immature, be-
ered by existing classifications (e.g. Sibley and ing produced in environments where many bio-
Gregg, 1987). The classification proposed here logical, physical and chemical processes operate
can be used to classify dolomites. Where the simultaneously. A supermature sediment is one
original texture can be determined, the carbonate where a single process is dominant, reflected in
can be described as, for example, a dolomitized the dominance of a single component type.
packstone. However, where dolomitization is
complete, terms such as dolomicrostone, dolomi-
crosparstone and dolosparstone could be used for Conclusions
dolomites with crystal sizes of < 4 ~m, 4-10/zm
and > 10/~m, respectively. The term dolomicros- Limestone textures are the products of deposi-
tone is used in preference to dolomudstone, to tional (physical), biological and diagenetic pro-
avoid any confusion with the term calcimudstone cesses. Since the introduction of the main classifi-
which is a textural term, not one denoting crystal cations of limestones some thirty years ago our
size. appreciation of the importance of diagenesis in
influencing limestone textures has greatly im-
Subdivisions of major textural groups proved. A revised classification is offered which
integrates some widely used earlier classifications
The textural class terms discussed above en- and incorporates existing and new textural terms
able us to name many limestones. Folk (1959, for common diagenetic textures.
1962) also provided a system of classifying each As limestone textures are the products of the
textural class (he only recognized two major de- interaction of these different processes a wide
positional classes--micrites and sparites). Each spectrum exists and it is often not possible to
class could be subdivided into four groups de- regard a texture as the product of one major
pending on the dominant grain (allochem) type. process (Fig. 4).
Dunham did not offer a formal means of subdi- The term calcimudstone is introduced to refer
viding limestones by reference to grain type and to a texture which is matrix-dominated, replacing
this has been something of a short-coming with the ambiguous term "mudstone" in Dunham's
the classification. It is proposed that a series of (1962) classification. The term matrix has been
additional categories should be defined based on used loosely in the past and it is recommended
the dominant grain type. A grainstone where that it should be used for fine-grained material
more than 50% of the grains are bioclasts could less than 62/zm in size.
be termed a bioclastic grainstone. If no grain type Many reefal limestones consist almost totally
is dominant, the rock could be described as a of cement and the term cementstone, currently
grainstone with bioclasts, peloids etc., in descend- ill-defined, is incorporated into the classification.
ing order of importance. If required, the actual It refers to a limestone composed almost totally
percentage of each grain type could be given. of fibrous cement (commonly replaced a n d / o r
184 v.P. WRIGHT

recrystallised), in which grains or in-situ biogenic Folk, R.L., 1962. Spectral subdivision of limestone types.
Mem. Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., 1: 62-84.
material does not constitute a framework.
Friedman, G.M., 1985. The problems of submarine cement in
Limestones in which the original texture has
classifying reef rock: an experience in frustration. Soc.
been completely obliterated are referred to as Econ. Paleontol. Mineral., Spec. Publ., 36: 117-121.
sparstones or microsparstones, depending on the Fiichtbauer, F.T., 1974. Sediments and sedimentary rocks, I.
actual crystal sizes present. In: W. Engeihardt, H. Fiichtbauer and G. Miiller (Editors),
Since the introduction of the concept of textu- Sedimentary Petrology II. Schweizerbart, Stuttgart, 464
ral maturity in limestone classification, our im- PP.
Harrell, J., 1981. Measurement errors in thin section analysis
proved understanding of diagenetic processes now of grain packing. J. Sediment. Petrol., 51: 674-676.
enables us to appreciate that some matrix-rich James, N.P. and Ginsburg, R.N., 1979. The seaward margin of
limestones and some grainstones are diagenetic the Belize barrier and atoll reefs. Spec. Publ. Int. Assoc.
in origin. As such, these diagenetic textures can- Sedimentol., 3, 191 pp.
not be used to assess the energy levels. The James N.P. and Gravestock, D.I., 1990. Lower Cambrian shelf
and shelf-margin buildups, Flinders Ranges, South Aus-
formation of micritic and peloidal cements in
tralia. Sedimentology, 37: 455-480.
reefs is considered a particular problem. James, N.P., Wray, J.L. and Ginsburg, R.N., 1988. Calcifica-
tion of encrusting aragonitic algae (Peyssonneliaceae): im-
Acknowledgements plications for the origin of Late Paleozoic and cements. J.
Sediment. Petrol., 38: 291-303.
Land, L.S. and Moore, C.H., 1980. Lithification, micritization
I especially wish to thank Douglas Hamilton and syndepositional diagenesis of biolithites on the Ja-
(Bristol University) for discussions on limestone maican island slope. J. Sediment. Petrol., 50: 357-370.
classification, Elizabeth Wyeth for typing this Leighton, M.W. and Pendexter, C., 1962. Carbonate rock
manuscript, and Alan Cross who prepared the types. Mem. Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., 1: 33-61.
diagrams. The manuscript was much improved by Lighty, R.G., 1985. Preservation of internal reef porosity and
diagenetic sealing of submerged early Holocene barrier
the helpful comments of the reviewers, Robert reef, southeast Florida shelf. Soc. Econ. Paleontol. Min-
Folk, A. Embry and B.C. Richards and Bruce eral., Spec. Publ., 36: 123-151.
Sellwood, University of Reading. P.R.I.S. contri- Logan, B.W. and Seminiuk, V., 1976. Dynamic metamor-
bution 187. phism: process and products in Devonian carbonate rocks,
Canning Basin, Western Australia. Spec. Publ. Geol. Soc.
Aust., 16: 1-138.
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