Travertine

Travertine is a chemical sedimentary rock originating on the mainland. Its composition is the same as that of limestone, but it is less porous. It is composed of tiny grains of pure calcium carbonate (calcite) that bound other travertine-forming particles together. It can also contain clay and classic quartz. Fossil remnants are very rarely present in travertine.

According to the place of origin, the following varieties are distinguished: spelaean travertine (accrued from the karst cave waters), brook travertine and stream travertine.

Travertine is a light rock of whitish yellow to yellowish or even reddish tinge depending upon the presence of alloys. Its deposits are often rounded, grape-like, often with a distinguished striped structure. The density of travertine varies from 2.6 to 2.8 g/cm³. It is found in karst topography areas formed of calcite, or, in some cases, of dolomite.

The occurrence of travertine is found mostly in the hot streams springing from great depths, most frequently in places of elevated or fading volcanic activity. Travertine often forms in extensive areas, with the perceptible travertine windrows.