Shale is a fine-grained, clastic sedimentary rock formed from mud that is a mix of flakes of clay minerals (hydrous aluminium phyllosilicates, e.g., kaolin, Al 2 Si 2 O 5 4) and tiny fragments (silt-sized particles) of other minerals, especially quartz and calcite. [1]

Shale: Shale breaks into thin pieces with sharp edges. It occurs in a wide range of colors that include red, brown, green, gray, and black. It is the most common sedimentary rock and is found in sedimentary basins worldwide. What is Shale?

Shale, any of a group of fine-grained, laminated sedimentary rocks consisting of silt- and clay-sized particles. Shale is the most abundant of the sedimentary rocks, accounting for roughly 70 percent of this rock type in the crust of the Earth.

To identify shale, first observe its grain size and ensure that no individual grains can be seen with the naked eye. Next, look for thin, parallel layers and note if the rock tends to break along those surfaces. Shale specimens usually have sharp edges, and it is common for fossils to be present.

Aug 21, 2023 · Shale is a laminated or fissile clastic sedimentary rock that composed of predominance of silt and clay other minerals, especially quartz and calcite. Characteristic properties of shale is breaks along thin laminae or parallel layering or bedding called fissility. It is most abundant sedimentary rock.

Shale is a fine-grained clastic sedimentary rock characterized by its fissility, shale readily cleaves into thin, typically less than 1 centimeter thick, laminae. Shale primarily composed of clay minerals, along with minor constituents like quartz and calcite.

Aug 2, 2020 · Shale is the most common sedimentary rock, accounting for about 70 percent of the rock found in the Earth's crust. It is a fine-grained clastic sedimentary rock made of compacted mud consisting of clay and tiny particles of quartz, calcite, mica, pyrite, other minerals, and organic compounds.

Jan 8, 2024 · Shale is a fine-grained sedimentary rock, composed mostly of clay particles and other minerals such as quartz and calcite. It is formed of many thim mineral layers and is typically...

The meaning of SHALE is a fissile rock that is formed by the consolidation of clay, mud, or silt, has a finely stratified or laminated structure, and is composed of minerals essentially unaltered since deposition.

Discover the versatility of shale, a common sedimentary rock crucial to industries like energy, construction, and ceramics. Learn about its formation, types, properties, famous formations, and uses in our comprehensive guide.