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Oil Shale identification and geology

Oil Shale rock reference specimen

Fine-grained sedimentary rock containing kerogen solid organic matter that yields oil when heated. Texture: Fine-grained, fissile to massive. Rock type: Sedimentary Organic. Grain size: Clay to silt. Minerals present: Clay minerals, Kerogen, Quartz, Calcite. Formation: Forms from accumulation of organic-rich mud in anoxic marine or lacustrine environments. Common geological settings: Estonia, Colorado USA , Brazil, Jordan; found in organic-rich mudstone sequences. Common look-alikes and related entries: Shale, Mudstone, Coal.

Sources, scope & corrections

These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.

Editorial owner
GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T14:38:35.118117+00:00
Review status
Published; not independently peer-reviewed
  • Rocks — U.S. National Park Service. Authoritative overview of rock groups, the rock cycle, and geologic processes.
  • Can you identify my rock or mineral? — U.S. Geological Survey. Identification limitations and routes to in-person professional verification.

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Common questions

What is Oil Shale?
Fine-grained sedimentary rock containing kerogen solid organic matter that yields oil when heated.
How can you identify Oil Shale?
Compare several properties rather than relying on colour alone. This entry records rock type: Sedimentary Organic; texture: Fine-grained, fissile to massive; grain size: Clay to silt; common minerals: Clay minerals, Kerogen, Quartz, Calcite. Confirm an important identification with additional field tests or qualified laboratory work.
How does Oil Shale form?
Forms from accumulation of organic-rich mud in anoxic marine or lacustrine environments.
Where is Oil Shale commonly found?
Estonia, Colorado USA , Brazil, Jordan; found in organic-rich mudstone sequences.
What is Oil Shale commonly confused with?
Oil Shale may be confused with Shale, Mudstone, Coal. Compare multiple diagnostic properties because colour and surface appearance can overlap.

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