GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -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, Al2Si2O5(OH)4) and tiny fragments (silt-sized particles) of other minerals, especially quartz and calcite.

Detailed explanation-2: -Shale is a soft, brittle, fine-grained, and easily eroded sedimentary rock formed from mineral-rich silt, or mud, that was deposited in an aquatic environment, buried by other sediment, and compacted and cemented into hard rock. When exposed at the surface by erosion, shale weathers into thin layers called plates.

Detailed explanation-3: -Shale is a clastic sedimentary rock that is made up of clay-size (less than 1/256 millimeter in diameter) weathering debris. It typically breaks into thin flat pieces.

Detailed explanation-4: -Examples of clastic rocks are sandstone and mudstone. Non-clastic rocks are created when water evaporates or from the remains of plants and animals. Limestone is a non-clastic sedimentary rock.