Hi Elle,

You are right! I thought that the word sounded very close to shell. Shale is a fine grained sedimentary rock. Easily identified because it fissile and laminated. Laminated meaning made up of many thin layers. Usually found in or near water it is also found on mountain ranges due to extreme cold weather and freezing conditions and makes for a gentle slope.

Just thought I would throw all that in. Thank you very much,
Kristina