1 Definition
1.1 Definition
Shale is a fine-grained sedimentary rock which is formed by the compaction of silt and clay-size mineral particles
Very fine grained fault rock which is composed of glassy matrix that often contains inclusions of wall-rock fragments.
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
1.2.2 Discoverer
1.3 Etymology
From German Schalstein laminated limestone, and Schalgebirge layer of stone in stratified rock. From Old English scealu in its base sense of- thing that divides or separate,
From pseudo- + tachylite, a glassy rock generated by frictional heat within faults.
1.4 Class
Sedimentary Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
1.5 Family
1.5.1 Group
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1.6 Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
Clastic, Splintery
Quench
2.2 Color
Black, Brown, Buff, Green, Grey, Red, Yellow
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, Pink, White
2.3 Maintenance
2.4 Durability
2.4.1 Water Resistant
2.4.2 Scratch Resistant
2.4.3 Stain Resistant
2.4.4 Wind Resistant
2.4.5 Acid Resistant
2.5 Appearance
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Office Buildings
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
3.2 Industry
3.2.1 Construction Industry
Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement, Raw material for the manufacture of mortar
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement
3.2.2 Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
Not Yet Used
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Sculpture
Artifacts, Monuments
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Pottery
Creating Artwork, Gemstone
4 Types
4.1 Types
Red Shale, Black Shale, Green Shale, Grey Shale and Yellow Shale
Not Available
4.2 Features
Easily splits into thin plates, Generally rough to touch, Very fine grained rock
Host Rock for Lead
4.3 Archaeological Significance
4.3.1 Monuments
4.3.2 Famous Monuments
Jantar Mantar in India
Data Not Available
4.3.3 Sculpture
4.3.4 Famous Sculptures
Data Not Available
Not Applicable
4.3.5 Pictographs
4.3.6 Petroglyphs
4.3.7 Figurines
4.4 Fossils
5 Formation
5.1 Formation
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.
Due to change in environmental conditions, rocks are heated and pressurized deep inside the Earth's surface. Pseudotachylite is formed from the extreme heat caused by magma or by the intense collisions and friction of tectonic plates.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Albite, Biotite, Calcite, Chert, Chlorite, Dolomite, Hematite, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Pyrite, Quartz, Silica, Sulfides
Iron Oxides, Pyroxene, Quartz, Stishovite, Sulfides
5.2.2 Compound Content
Ca, Fe, Mg, Silicon Dioxide, Sodium
Carbon Dioxide, Silicon Dioxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulphur
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Not Applicable
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
5.3.3 Weathering
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Not Applicable
5.3.5 Erosion
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion
Not Applicable
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
6.1.2 Grain Size
Very fine-grained
Very fine-grained
6.1.3 Fracture
6.1.4 Streak
White
Light to dark brown
6.1.5 Porosity
Highly Porous
Less Porous
6.1.6 Luster
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
95.00 N/mm260.00 N/mm2
0.15
450
6.1.8 Cleavage
6.1.9 Toughness
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
6.1.11 Transparency
Opaque
Transparent to Translucent
6.1.12 Density
2.4-2.8 g/cm32.7-2.9 g/cm3
0
1400
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
0.39 kJ/Kg K0.92 kJ/Kg K
0.14
3.2
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Heat Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
Bangladesh, China, India, Russia
South Korea
7.1.2 Africa
Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania
Western Africa
7.1.3 Europe
Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland
Great Britain, Switzerland
7.1.4 Others
Not Yet Found
Not Yet Found
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
7.2.2 South America
Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
Not Yet Found
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
New South Wales, New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia