What are mudrocks?
Q: What are mudrocks?
A: Mudrocks are a class of fine-grained siliciclastic sedimentary rocks. They make up most of the sedimentary rocks on Earth and include siltstone, claystone, mudstone, slate, and shale.
Q: How small are the particles in mudrocks?
A: The particles in mudrocks are less than 0.0625 mm (1/16th mm or 0.0025 inches) which is too small to study readily in the field.
Q: Why is there disagreement about the classification of mudrocks?
A: There is disagreement about the classification of mudrocks due to their tiny size making them difficult to study, multiple accepted classification schemes by scientists, and because they are one of the least understood and understudied sedimentary rocks to date.
Q: How common are mudrocks?
A: Mudrocks make up half of all sedimentary rocks in the geologic record and are easily one of the most widespread deposits on Earth due to fine sediment being an abundant product of erosion.
Q: What happens when pressure increases over time with regards to mudrock composition?
A: When pressure increases over time with regards to mudrock composition, platey clay minerals may become aligned with parallel layering (fissility). This material which splits into thin layers is called shale as distinct from mudstone.
Q: How have humans used mudrock since ancient times?
A: Humans have been using mudrock since ancient times for pottery and making bricks by hand - it has always been an important resource for civilization.
Q: When was the first book onmudrock published?
A:The first book onmudrock was not published until 1964
