Mudstone

By: The Geology Toolkit team (The Open University)

Posted under Geology

A brief description of the nature of mudstone

28 Sep

2006

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Mudstone is a fine-grained sedimentary rock. It is usually black or dark grey-brown and is often soft and crumbly.

Mudstone Copyrighted Image The Open University

How is it formed?
Mudstones form when very fine-grained clay particles are deposited in water. They tiny particles settle to the bottom of oceans, lake floors or lagoons or even in quiet stretches of rivers. As the mud is buried and compacted by overlying sediment, the water is squeezed out and it turns into mudstone.

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The Geology Toolkit team (The Open University)

Get to know the rocks beneath your feet with the Geology Toolkit from The Open University.

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Article Information

Publication details

Originally published:

Wednesday, 27th September 2006

Last Updated on:

Thursday, 28th September 2006

Copyright information
• Body text - Copyright: The Open University
• Image 'Mudstone' - Copyright: The Open University

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