________ commonly serves as a protolith in the formation of slate.
A) Limestone
B) Sandstone
C) Shale
D) Basalt

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Shale is a fine-grained sedimentary rock composed of clay minerals, making it the most common protolith in the formation of slate. Limestone and sandstone are also common protoliths in other metamorphic rocks, but not in slate. Basalt is an igneous rock, which is not a potential protolith for slate. Therefore, the best choice is C) Shale.

________ Commonly Serves as a Protolith in the Formation of Slate