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What is Marl?



Definition

Definition
Marl is an unconsolidated sedimentary rock consisting of clay and lime

History

Origin
-

Discoverer
William Smith

Etymology
From Old French marle, from Late Latin marglia

Class
Sedimentary Rocks

Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Soft Rock

Family

Group
-

Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Texture

Texture
Earthy

Color
Beige, Brown, Green, Grey, White

Maintenance
Less

Durability
Durable

Water Resistant
Yes

Scratch Resistant
No

Stain Resistant
No

Wind Resistant
No

Acid Resistant
No

Appearance
Rough and Dull

Uses

Architecture

Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Floor Tiles

Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, Roof Tiles

Other Architectural Uses
Curbing

Industry

Construction Industry
Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement, Raw material for the manufacture of mortar

Medical Industry
-

Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery, Sculpture, Small Figurines

Other Uses

Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Soil Conditioner

Types

Types
Clay Marl ,Blue Marl, Red Marl, High Bank Marl, Shell Layer Marl, Under Shell Layer Marl, Sand Marl, Green Marl, Grey Marl and Clayey Marl

Features
Generally rough to touch, Is one of the oldest rock, Splintery, Very fine grained rock

Archaeological Significance

Monuments
-

Famous Monuments
-

Sculpture
-

Famous Sculptures
-

Pictographs
-

Petroglyphs
-

Figurines
-

Fossils
Present

Formation

Formation
Marl forms when very fine-grained clay particles are deposited in water which settles at the bottom of water bodies and are compacted by overlying sediment; the water squeezes out and hence forming Marl rock.

Composition

Mineral Content
Calcite, Clay, Dolomite, Gypsum, Micas, Pyrite, Quartz

Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, NaCl, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, Silicon Dioxide

Transformation

Metamorphism
No

Types of Metamorphism
-

Weathering
Yes

Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering

Erosion
Yes

Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion

Properties

Physical Properties

Hardness
2-3

Grain Size
Very fine-grained

Fracture
Conchoidal

Streak
White

Porosity
Highly Porous

Luster
Dull

Compressive Strength
30.00 N/mm2 44

Cleavage
-

Toughness
2.6

Specific Gravity
2.2-2.8

Transparency
Opaque

Density
2.4-2.8 g/cm3

Thermal Properties

Specific Heat Capacity
0.80 kJ/Kg K 16

Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant

Reserves

Deposits in Eastern Continents

Asia
India, Pakistan, Russia

Africa
Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa

Europe
Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland

Others
-

Deposits in Western Continents

North America
USA

South America
Colombia, Ecuador, Peru

Deposits in Oceania Continent

Australia
New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia

Summary >>
<< Reserves

Sedimentary Rocks

Learn more about Properties of Marl

What is Marl? In this section, we will learn more about properties of Marl i.e. physical and thermal properties. Physical properties of Marl include Color, Streak, Hardness, Structure, Cleavage, Fracture, Luster, Specific Gravity etc. The strength of Marl is 30.00 N/mm2. Streak of Marl is white while its cleavage is . Luster of Marl is dull and its fracture is conchoidal. Marl is opaque in nature. Know all about Marl, What is Marl, its composition, features, facts and reserves in next sections.

Know about Composition of Marl

What is Marl composed of? Get to know about composition of Marl here. Marl definition gives information about the Formation of Marl and its composition.The composition of Marl can be further divided into mineral and compound content. The mineral content of Marl rock includes Calcite, Clay, Dolomite, Gypsum, Micas, Pyrite, Quartz and The compound content of Marl rock includes Aluminium Oxide, NaCl, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, Silicon Dioxide. Almost all rocks undergo transformation process. Know all about Marl rock in next section.

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