GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Some geologists further restrict the term to a sedimentary rock that is composed primarily of clay-sized particles (less than 1/256 millimetre in diameter) and is not laminated or easily split into thin layers; such rocks that show cleavage roughly parallel to the bedding plane often are classed as clay shales.

Detailed explanation-2: -Geologists estimate that shale represents almost ¾ of the sedimentary rock on the Earth’s crust. Geologists are specific about the definition of the rock called “shale.” Shale is composed of clay particles that are less than 0.004 mm in size.

Detailed explanation-3: -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.

Detailed explanation-4: -Black shales contain organic material that sometimes breaks down to form natural gas or oil. Other shales can be crushed and mixed with water to produce clays that can be made into a variety of useful objects.

Detailed explanation-5: -Answer and Explanation: Most of the sediment that is compacted and later forms shale bedrock is 1) clay. Shale is largely composed of small clay-like particles such as kaolinite and smectite.