coquina
coquinaCoquina outcropping, Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, near Palm Coast, Florida, U.S.
coquina, limestone formed almost entirely of sorted and cemented fossil debris, most commonly coarse shells and shell fragments. Microcoquinas are similar sedimentary rocks that are composed of finer material. Common among microcoquinas are those formed from the disks and plates of crinoids (sea lilies). A coquinite is a stronger, more-consolidated version of coquina, whereas coquinoid limestone is made up of these same shell fragments within a fine-grained matrix.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Richard Pallardy.
Citation Information
Article Title:
coquina
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
05 December 2014
Access Date:
November 13, 2026