Shale is the protolith of slate.
Rock group | Sedimentary |
Origin | Clastic/detrital |
Particle size Wentworth | ≤ 62.5 µm |
Special properties | Fissile; splits along bedding planes |
Shale in Hand Sample
Shale is often fossiliferous, frequently preserves sedimentary structures such as crossbedding and mudcracks, and comes in varying shades of grey, tan, black, green, and red.
Fossiliferous Millboro Formation shale from West Virginia
Mudcracks and raindrop impressions in a red shale
Graptolites in black shale
Argillaceous shale
Shale in Thin Section
Laminated shale, plane polars
Laminated shale, crossed polars

Laminated Shale, Plane Polars
Laminated shale in plane polarized light.Magnification: 100xClick here to see laminated shale rotating in crossed polars: https://youtu.be/AAnS6VBYwz4Click h…

Laminated Shale, Crossed Polars
Laminated shale in cross polarized light.Magnification: 100xClick here to see laminated shale rotating in plane polars: https://youtu.be/J8lp7IJaejkClick her…

Oil shale, plane polars
Magnification: 40xClick here for crossed polars:https://youtu.be/ySkoEEiCNzINVCC slide SD 7.

Oil shale, crossed polars
Magnification: 40xClick here for plane polars:https://youtu.be/AJW4wmW39r8NVCC slide SD 7.