Pronunciation: [ʃˈe͡ɪl] (IPA) 
The word "shale" is spelled as /ʃeɪl/. The phonetic transcription shows that it is pronounced with a "sh" sound, followed by a long "a" sound, and ending with an "l" sound. The word refers to a type of sedimentary rock that is composed of clay and silt particles. The spelling of the word follows the standard English vowel sound correspondences, where the "a" sound is spelled with the letter "a" when it is pronounced as a long vowel sound.
Shale is a type of fine-grained sedimentary rock that is composed primarily of compacted and hardened clay and silt particles. It is characterized by its laminated or layered structure, with individual layers often referred to as "shale beds." Shale typically has a smooth texture and can exhibit various colors, including shades of gray, brown, black, and occasionally green.
The formation of shale occurs over long periods, as layers of sediment settle on the ocean or lake floor. Over time, the weight of the overlying sediments compresses the lower layers, causing them to become compacted. This compaction, combined with the presence of water and the natural cementing of particles, results in the hardening and solidification of the shale rock.
Shale is known for its low permeability, meaning it does not allow the easy flow of fluids through its pores or fractures. This property has significant implications for industries such as oil and gas production, as it can restrict the movement and extraction of hydrocarbons trapped within the rock.
Furthermore, shale has become a key source for unconventional oil and natural gas extraction through a process called hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. This involves creating fractures in the shale using pressurized fluids to release trapped hydrocarbons.
In addition to its economic significance, shale also holds geological importance, as it often contains fossils and detailed records of past environments, providing valuable insights into Earth's history and the evolution of life.
A shell or husk; in geol., argillaceous strata that exhibit a laminated structure, and split into irregular plates-some varieties being bituminous, others calcareous, arenaceous, &c.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "shale" is derived from the Old English word "scealu", which means "shell" or "husk". It is related to the Old High German word "scala" and the Old Norse word "skal", both of which also mean "shell". This connection originally referred to the easily breakable quality of shale rock, compared to other types of rock. Over time, the term "shale" became specifically associated with the fine-grained sedimentary rock composed of mud or clay particles that can be split into thin layers.
