Shale: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿชจ
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shale

 

[ สƒeษชl ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

rock formation

Shale is a fine-grained sedimentary rock formed from the compression of mud and clay. It is characterized by its ability to split easily into thin layers, making it a commonly used material in construction and landscaping.

Synonyms

argillite, claystone, mudstone.

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Word Description / Examples
shale

Shale is used to refer to a type of sedimentary rock that is formed from clay or mud and has a fine grain. It is often found in oil and natural gas extraction contexts.

  • The geological survey showed a large deposit of shale in the region
  • Fracking involves injecting fluid into shale beds
mudstone

Mudstone is another type of fine-grained sedimentary rock that does not show the fine stratification like shale. It is often used in informal or descriptive language.

  • The cliffs were made up mostly of mudstone
  • A layer of mudstone was discovered during the excavation
claystone

Claystone refers to a type of fine-grained sedimentary rock consisting mostly of clay minerals. It is used in both geological and construction contexts.

  • Claystone is often used as a raw material for ceramics
  • The foundation had to be reinforced due to the presence of claystone
argillite

Argillite is a metamorphosed sedimentary rock that is more hardened than shale. It is typically used in a more geological and technical context than in everyday language.

  • The rock formations include significant layers of argillite
  • The study focused on the mineral composition of argillite samples

Examples of usage

  • The shale deposits in this region are rich in organic matter.
  • The shale layer is known for its high resistance to weathering and erosion.
Context #2 | Noun

energy industry

In the energy industry, shale refers to a type of sedimentary rock that contains natural gas or oil. Shale gas and shale oil extraction has become increasingly popular due to advancements in hydraulic fracturing technology.

Synonyms

source rock, tight rock, unconventional reservoir.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
shale

Used in geology and the oil and gas industry to describe a type of sedimentary rock that is fine-grained and can contain significant amounts of organic material.

  • The company has discovered a new shale formation that may contain oil
  • Shale gas is often extracted using hydraulic fracturing
tight rock

Describes rock formations with low permeability that do not easily allow fluids to flow through. Often used in the context of unconventional oil and gas extraction.

  • Extracting oil from tight rock requires advanced techniques like hydraulic fracturing
  • Tight rock formations are challenging to exploit
source rock

Refers to a rock containing sufficient organic material that, when subjected to heat and pressure, can generate hydrocarbons like oil and natural gas. Used commonly in geology and petroleum engineering.

  • Geologists are studying the source rock to determine the potential for oil production
  • Source rocks are the birthplace of hydrocarbons
unconventional reservoir

Refers to types of rock formations that do not have the typical properties of more conventional petroleum reservoirs. Requires non-traditional methods for extraction.

  • The company specializes in extracting oil from unconventional reservoirs
  • Unconventional reservoirs include shale and tight rock formations

Examples of usage

  • The company is investing in shale gas exploration in the Appalachian region.
  • Shale oil production has boosted the country's energy independence.

Translations

Translations of the word "shale" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น xisto

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคถเฅ‡เคฒ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Schiefer

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ batu serpih

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะปะฐะฝั†ั–

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ ล‚upek

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้ ๅฒฉ (ใ‘ใคใŒใ‚“)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท schiste

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ esquisto

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ลŸist

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์…ฐ์ผ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุตุฎุฑ ุฒูŠุชูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ bล™idlice

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ bridlica

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้กตๅฒฉ (yรจ yรกn)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ skrilavec

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ skรญfur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚ะฐา›ั‚ะฐ ั‚ะฐั

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒคแƒ˜แƒฅแƒแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ลŸist

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ esquisto

Etymology

The word 'shale' originated from the Old English word 'scealu', meaning 'shell' or 'husk'. It was first used in the context of rock formations in the mid-18th century to describe the fine-grained sedimentary rocks found in layers. Shale has been an important resource for construction, energy production, and geological studies.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,834 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.