The exposed limestone formed the foundation for the mosque structure.
The limestone and ore form a slag that floats on the surface.
It fell into the sea, and when the limestone formed it was embedded in it.
Although the limestone formed about 190 million years ago, the cave itself is no older than a few million years.
The limestone and bedrock form a compound called slag.
Oolitic limestone has formed the thin Rendzina soil of the west facing slope.
This blueish-gray limestone forms a "belt" around the house about midway up the walls, and also forms the house's four corners.
Clay remained in the centre and limestone and gypsum formed at the edges.
The limestone does not form one continuous bed as previously thought, but rather forms pockets in a formation which is predominately clay.
In the early Jurassic it was covered with shallow sea water and limestone formed.