The correct answer is: b) Limestone
The foothills of the Shivalik Hills offer potential for deposits of limestone. Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed mostly of calcium carbonate. It is formed when the remains of marine organisms, such as coral, shells, and algae, accumulate on the seafloor and are buried over time. The weight of the overlying sediment compacts the remains, and the calcium carbonate is dissolved by groundwater and precipitated out of solution to form limestone.
Limestone is a valuable resource because it is used in a variety of industries, including construction, manufacturing, and agriculture. It is also a popular ornamental stone.
The other options are incorrect because:
- Gold is a precious metal that is found in veins and lodes in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
- Granite is an igneous rock that is composed of quartz, feldspar, and mica.
- Diamonds are a type of gemstone that is formed when carbon is subjected to high pressure and temperature.