Formation of Shale and Gritstone

Shale

Gritstone

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Formation

Mineral Content

Compound Content

Metamorphism

Types of Metamorphism

Weathering

Types of Weathering

Erosion

Types of Erosion

Shale forms when very fine-grained clay particles are deposited in water which settle at the bottom of water bodies. They are later compacted hence forming shale.

Albite, Biotite, Calcite, Chert, Chlorite, Dolomite, Hematite, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Pyrite, Quartz, Silica, Sulfides

Ca, Fe, Mg, Silicon Dioxide, Sodium

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Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

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Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion

Gritstone is a type of sedimentary rock which was formed on the floors of wide river deltas where the grit deposits were laid down, with every tide or flood dumping another layer of sediment.

Calcite, Clay Minerals, Feldspar, Micas, Quartz

Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide

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Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

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Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion

Shale and Gritstone Formation

Formation of rocks is a long process and hence, Shale and Gritstone formation sounds very interesting. According to the formation, all rocks are divided into :Igneous Rocks, Sedimentary Rocks and Metamorphic Rocks. Igneous rocks form by crystallization of magma or lava. The magma is made up of various components of pre-existing rocks which have been subjected to melting either at subduction zones or within the Earth's mantle. Igneous rocks are generally seen at mid ocean ridges or in intra-plate hotspots. Sedimentary rocks are formed when sediments accumulate gradually. As the sediments are buried they get compacted as more and more material is deposited on top. Eventually the sediments become so dense that they form a rock. Metamorphic rocks are rocks which once existed as igneous or sedimentary rocks but have been subjected to varying degrees of pressure and heat within the Earth's crust. Get to know all about formation of Shale and Gritstone, composition of Shale and Gritstone and their transformation.