The Ocala Limestone was likely deposited in a marine shelf environment (water depth <200m). Bryan (2001) suggested that during the Middle Eocene, the Florida Platform was initially a restricted bank environment but later became more of an open shelf (ramp).

Ocala Chert formed from selective silicification of limestone. The chert contains numerous molds of shells and other fauna. It is likely that the chert formed as concretions in the limestone. Since chert is much more resistant to weathering than soft porous limestone, it was concentrated as residuum lag as the limestone dissolved at the Earth's surface. This is the reason why Ocala Chert is common at the surface, but Ocala Limestone is not.