Shale is a fine-grained, clastic sedimentary rock formed from mud that is a mix of flakes of clay minerals (hydrous aluminium phyllosilicates, e.g., kaolin, Al 2 Si 2 O 5 (OH) 4) and tiny …

shale, any of a group of fine-grained, laminated sedimentary rocks consisting of silt- and clay-sized particles. Shale is the most abundant of the sedimentary rocks, accounting for roughly …

May 9, 2019 · Below is a fully detailed and globally relevant overview of shale, including its formation, composition, properties, varieties, fossil content, economic significance, and …

Jan 5, 2023 · Shale is the most abundant of all sedimentary rocks. It is composed primarily of soft clay minerals, but may include variable amounts of organic matter, calcareous material, and …

Shale is the most abundant sedimentary rock. It is found in sedimentary basins worldwide.

Shale is the most common sedimentary rock type, constituting approximately 70% of exposed sedimentary rock on Earth. Shale is characterized by its laminated structure, with thin, parallel …

Oct 28, 2015 · Explore the structure and origin of shale. Learn how it's formed from clay and silt and its role in Earth's sedimentary layers.

Jul 30, 2025 · The composition of shale is dominated by clay minerals, such as kaolinite, illite, and smectite, along with varying amounts of quartz, feldspar, carbonate minerals, and organic …

Shale is a fine-grained sedimentary rock that forms from the compaction of silt and clay-sized particles. It is primarily composed of clay minerals and often contains organic material, making …

Shale is composed of small grains and various minerals along with organic particles. Black shales are the shales that contain organic matter and can break down to form natural gas or oil.