Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade regional metamorphism
From Old French esclate, from esclat (French éclat)
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Black, Brown, Buff, Green, Light to Dark Grey, Purple, Red, Shades of Blue
Bathrooms, Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Floor Tiles, Flooring, Homes, Hotels, Interior Decoration, Kitchens, Stair Treads
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
Blackboards, Commemorative Tablets, Laboratory bench tops, Standard material for the bed of Billiard table, Standard material for the beds of Pool and Snooker table, Tombstones, Used in aquariums, Writing Slates
Phyllite, Schist, and Slate
Easily splits into thin plates, Surfaces are often shiny, Very fine grained rock
Archaeological Significance
Slate is a low grade metamorphic rock that is generally formed by metamorphosis of mudstone or shale, under relatively low pressure and temperature conditions.
Apatite, Biotite, Chlorite, Feldspar, Graphite, Hematite, Kaolinite, Magnetite, Pyrite, Tourmaline, Zircon
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom
Deposits in Western Continents
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Information about Slate
Rocks are naturally occurring solids which are composed of minerals & have been used by humans since ages. From Stone Age, rocks are used for various purposes. Also, the metals and minerals found in rock play an important role in our life. Get to know all the Slate Uses. We have provided you with all information about Slate rock here. Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade regional metamorphism. Slate is available in black, brown, buff, green, light to dark grey, purple, red, shades of blue colors. The streak of a rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Slate is light to dark brown. Get to know more about Slate rock and characteristics of Slate rock in the next sections.