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
Learn more about Properties of Slate
What is Slate? In this section, we will learn more about properties of Slate i.e. physical and thermal properties. Physical properties of Slate include Color, Streak, Hardness, Structure, Cleavage, Fracture, Luster, Specific Gravity etc. The strength of Slate is 30.00 N/mm2. Streak of Slate is light to dark brown while its cleavage is slaty. Luster of Slate is dull and its fracture is splintery. Slate is opaque in nature. Know all about Slate, What is Slate, its composition, features, facts and reserves in next sections.
Know about Composition of Slate
What is Slate composed of? Get to know about composition of Slate here. Slate definition gives information about the Formation of Slate and its composition.The composition of Slate can be further divided into mineral and compound content. The mineral content of Slate rock includes Apatite, Biotite, Chlorite, Feldspar, Graphite, Hematite, Kaolinite, Magnetite, Pyrite, Tourmaline, Zircon and The compound content of Slate rock includes Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide. Almost all rocks undergo transformation process. Know all about Slate rock in next section.