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Shale Rock Facts

Shale Rock Facts
Shale rocks are those that are made of clay-sized particles and are have a laminated appearance. They are a type of sedimentary rock. Shale is the abundant rock found on Earth. They are usually found in areas where gentle waters have deposited sediments that become compacted together.
Interesting Shale Rock Facts:
Roughly 70% of the Earth's surface is covered by shale.
Shale rock can form in playas, rivers, basins, and oceans.
It is common to find limestone and sandstone lying near shale.
Shale usually forms in sheets.
Roughly 55% of all sedimentary rock is shale.
Some shale is high in calcium content because of the fossils they possibly house.
Shale that has a high content of alumina is used to manufacture cement.
Shale that has a high content of natural gas has been recently used as an energy source.
Quartz and other minerals are typically found in shale.
Although shale is normally gray, it can be black if it contains a lot of carbonaceous material.
About 95% of the organic material that is located inside of sedimentary rock is located inside of shale or mudrocks.
Shale is formed through a process called compaction.
Shale that is exposed to extreme heat and pressure can change into slate.
After formation, shale is usually deposited into lakes and rivers by slow moving water.
Clay is a key component in shale rock.


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