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$Slate, a metamorphic rock, showing typical splintery fracture and thin layering (slightly larger than life-size).$

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geology

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Related Topics:: metamorphic rock; spotted slate

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slate, fine-grained, clayey metamorphic rock that cleaves, or splits, readily into thin slabs having great tensile strength and durability; some other rocks that occur in thin beds are improperly called slate because they can be used for roofing and similar purposes. True slates do not, as a rule, split along the bedding plane but along planes of cleavage, which may intersect the bedding plane at high angles. Slate was formed under low-grade metamorphic conditions—i.e., under relatively low temperature and pressure. The original material was a fine clay, sometimes with sand or volcanic dust, usually in the form of a sedimentary ...(100 of 440 words)

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