Sed.Home | Alph | Intro | BasicClass | QFLClass | Keys | Depo.Envir | Evol | Evol.Model | Sed.Tect | Self Tests
  
CLAY #1         Go on to: #1 | #2 | #3 | #4
Kaolinite
Detail of this specimen

Return to:
Alphabetical Listing
Basic Key
QFL Clastic Key
Physical Properties
White, gray, yellowish; dull, pearly on cleavage; perfect basal cleavage (although the individual crystals are microscopic); earthy, plastic when wet..
Description
   Kaolinite is a clay, the weathering product of orthoclase feldspars. This specimen is pure kaolinite, but normally it would be mixed with other materials, such as iron oxides (coloring it), and organic matter.
    Clays become shales when they are deposited.

  

LSF Home | Geology Web Sites | Courses | Geology Home
Last Update: 7/18/00

e-mail: (Fichtels@jmu.edu)