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SHALE #2 (detail) Go on to: #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 Shale 
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QFL Composition
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Description
Fine grained rock composed of lithified clay making the rock shale. In this close up image we can easily note the fine grained nature; no visible particles can be seen. Furthermore, if you rub this rock across your finernail it will not scratch, typical shale behavior, but not siltstone behavior.In this close up we are looking at one of the lamination surfaces. Shales commonly break along these surfaces. One might be tempted to consider this specimen a metamorphic slate, and indeed shales turn into slate with Barrovian metamorphism. Slates, however, tend to be harder, and the scratches we see on the surface of this specimen make it unlikely it has undergone much if any metamorphism. |
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