How is shale different in appearance from conglomerate or sandstone?

Answer 1

Shale typically has a fine-grained texture, appearing smooth and often layered or fissile, allowing it to split easily into thin sheets. In contrast, conglomerate consists of larger, rounded clasts or pebbles embedded in a finer matrix, giving it a more coarse and variable texture. Sandstone, on the other hand, is composed primarily of sand-sized grains and has a more granular appearance, often with visible individual grains. Overall, shale is distinct due to its finer texture and layered structure compared to the coarser, more variable textures of conglomerate and sandstone.