(Redirected from Argillaceous):''"Argillite" may also refer to
Argillite, Kentucky.''
An 'argillite' (
IPA: ) is a fine-grained
sedimentary rock composed predominantly of indurated
clay particles. Argillites are basically
lithified muds and oozes. They contain variable amounts of
silt-sized particles. The argillites grade into
shale when the
fissile layering typical of shale is developed. Another name for poorly lithified argillites is ''
mudstone''. These rocks, although variable in composition, are typically high in
aluminium and
silica with variable
alkali and
alkaline earth cations. The term ''pelitic'' or ''pelite'' is often applied to these
sediments and rocks.
Metamorphism of argillites produces
slate,
phyllite, and pelitic
schist.
The Haida carvings of
Queen Charlotte Islands along the coast of
British Columbia are notable aboriginal art treasures created from variably colored argillites.
References
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R. V. Dietrich, 2005, ''Gemrocks: Argillite'' Accessed Dec. 22, 2005.