A shale differs from a mudstone in that it

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Shale breaks into platy sheets due to the alignment of clay minerals during compaction and lithification, while mudstone does not exhibit this property. Choice B is incorrect because mudstone and shale can have similar compositions, with both commonly containing clay minerals, quartz, feldspar, and other minerals. Choice C is incorrect because shale may have larger or smaller grain sizes than mudstone depending on the depositional environment and the degree of compaction. Choice D is also incorrect because shale typically has smaller grain sizes than mudstone due to the finer grains of clay minerals.

A Shale Differs from a Mudstone in That It