Shale has the apearance of earthy, hard, mud or clay, which is not surprising since shale is a compacted version of these materials. Shales vary in colour but are generally grey to black or brown. Shale is a soft rock and can easily be scratched with a knife. When hit with a hammer, a mark will remain and the rock breaks into chunks as oppsed to sheets (as would be the case with metamorphosed shale - slate). The beds in shale are usually thin, flat and of uniform thickness.

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