Shale vs Chert

Shale vs Chert Information

Earth’s outer layer is covered by rocks and these rocks have different physical and chemical properties. As two rocks are not same, it’s fun to compare them. You can also know more about Shale and Chert Reserves. Shale is a fine-grained sedimentary rock which is formed by the compaction of silt and clay-size mineral particles. Chert is a hard, dark, opaque sedimentary rock which is composed of silica with an amorphous fine-grained texture. These rocks are composed of many distinct minerals. The process of formation of rocks is different for various rocks. Rocks are quarried from many years for various purposes. You can check out Shale vs Chert information and Shale vs Chert characteristics in the upcoming sections.

Shale vs Chert Characteristics

Though some rocks look identical, they have certain characteristics which distinguish them from others. Characteristics of rocks include texture, appearance, color, fracture, streak, hardness etc. Shale vs Chert characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Shale and Properties of Chert. Learn more about Shale vs Chert in the next section. The interior uses of Shale include Decorative aggregates, Homes and Interior decoration whereas the interior uses of Chert include Decorative aggregates and Homes. Due to some exceptional properties of Shale and Chert, they have various applications in construction industry. The uses of Shale in construction industry include Cement manufacture, Construction aggregate, For road aggregate, Making natural cement, Raw material for the manufacture of mortar and that of Chert include Arrowheads, Construction aggregate, Cutting tool, Spear points.

More about Shale and Chert

Here you can know more about Shale and Chert. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Shale and Chert consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Shale includes Albite, Biotite, Calcite, Chert, Chlorite, Dolomite, Hematite, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Pyrite, Quartz, Silica, Sulfides and mineral content of Chert includes Quartz, Silicon. You can also check out the list of all Sedimentary Rocks. When we have to compare Shale vs Chert, the texture, color and appearance plays an important role in determining the type of rock. Shale is available in black, brown, buff, green, grey, red, yellow colors whereas, Chert is available in black, brown, green, grey, red, white colors. Appearance of Shale is Muddy and that of Chert is Glassy or Pearly. Properties of rock is another aspect for Shale vs Chert. The hardness of Shale is 3 and that of Chert is 6.5-7. The types of Shale are Red Shale, Black Shale, Green Shale, Grey Shale and Yellow Shale whereas types of Chert are Flint, Jasper, Radiolarite, Common Chert, Chalcedony, Agate, Onyx, Opal, Magadi-type Chert, Porcelanite, Siliceous Sinter. Streak of rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Shale and Chert is white. The specific heat capacity of Shale is 0.39 kJ/Kg K and that of Chert is 0.74 kJ/Kg K. Depending on the properties like hardness, toughness, specific heat capacity, porosity etc., rocks are resistant to heat, wear, impact, etc.Shale is heat resistant, impact resistant whereas Chert is heat resistant, impact resistant, pressure resistant, wear resistant.